Jobs › Kraft Heinz

Sr Scientist, R&D - Product Development

Kraft Heinz · Glenview, IL · $89,800–$112,200 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a product you developed for foodservice or Away From Home. How was it different from developing for retail?

What they are checking: Whether they understand foodservice needs like back-of-house prep, yield and holding time.

How do you manage several projects across different product categories at once?

What they are checking: Whether they can juggle innovation, renovation and maintenance work without letting quality slip.

Tell me about a time a project faced a supplier or ingredient problem. How did you keep it on track?

What they are checking: Whether they can solve sourcing and ingredient issues without losing the timeline.

What would you do

A product that worked well at the bench fails at the first plant trial. How do you figure out why?

What they are checking: Whether they can troubleshoot scale-up problems using process knowledge, not guesswork.

A business partner brings you a vague request like make this sauce better for our restaurant customers. How do you turn that into a plan?

What they are checking: Whether they can translate fuzzy business needs into clear technical goals and tests.

Operations wants to change a process step to save time, but you think it will affect quality. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can use data to defend product quality while respecting the plant's needs.

About the work

Walk me through how you take a product from benchtop formulation through scale-up and plant startup.

What they are checking: Whether they know what changes at each scale and how to protect the product along the way.

How do you approach a renovation project, like reducing sodium or removing an ingredient, without hurting the product?

What they are checking: Whether they understand ingredient functionality well enough to make changes customers won't notice.

What does good documentation discipline look like to you in product development?

What they are checking: Whether they keep formulas, specs and decisions traceable, which protects quality and food safety later.

How do you work with Quality, Regulatory and Operations to make sure a product is ready to launch?

What they are checking: Whether they know the cross-functional checks a food product needs before commercialization.

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The full job description

As published by Kraft Heinz.

Job Description Role This is a technical leadership role providing direction for and execution of projects across our North American – Elevate Growth Team.  The candidate will be identifying, scoping and driving technical projects to meet business initiatives focused on innovation and renovation. This candidate should have a proven record of executing work plans and driving for results.  This includes understanding the business need, designing, and executing tests, analyzing data, drawing conclusions, documenting, communicating results, and commercializing products.  Proven communication and teamwork skills are essential in this role, which operates in a cross-functional environment. The candidate must also have a strong technical background and be able to apply prior learning or scientific principles to new situations. This position requires an individual to manage multiple assignments/tasks concurrently and demonstrate the ability to complete work with minimal guidance. Exhibiting a collaborative mindset and applying innovative solutions are a must. Key Components • Responsible for developing and commercializing new products and renovating existing products across the Sauces & Condiments portfolio. • The candidate will be scoping and/or driving highly technical and complex projects to meet the business’ platform and innovation objectives. • Opportunities may exist to lead junior developers on projects. • Conduct feasibility assessments, prototype development, costing, supervision of factory trials, development of recipe and factory documentation, recipe and label development, technical approval, shelf-life assessment and technical support for initial factory production. • Apply prior learning or scientific principles to new situations. • Manage multiple assignments/ tasks concurrently and demonstrate the ability to complete work with minimal guidance. • Exhibiting a collaborative mindset and applying innovative solutions are a must. Requirements • BS/MS in Food Science or Chemical Engineering • Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience with Bachelor’s or 3 years with Master’s or 2 years with PhD • Solid understanding of food chemistry, analytical testing, formulations, and processing used in food manufacturing • Sauce and condiment experience preferred • Understanding of ingredient functionality and interrelationship of ingredients, process, and packaging • Excellent communication, influencing, project management and problem-solving skills • Ability to lead, coach and motivate others • Manage multiple assignments/tasks concurrently with the ability to question the priority of work • Strong understanding of Design of Experiments • Willingness to travel 30% Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values. New Hire Base Salary Range: $89,800.00 - $112,200.00 Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents. The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents. Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families. You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example: • Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments • Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training • Emotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs • Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability Location(s) Glenview R&D Center, Heinz Innovation Center Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com for assistance.

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