Principal Scientist, R&D – Open Innovation Expert

The Kraft Heinz Company

Principal Scientist leading Open Innovation initiatives across R&D in food business. Driving product, process, and packaging innovation while managing external partnerships.

Posted 5/8/2026full-timeGlenview • Illinois • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $104,200 - $130,200 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and scale Open Innovation (OI) initiatives across R&D to accelerate product, process, packaging innovation in the food business
Manage and govern External Partnerships and Open Innovation program
Scout partners, drive agile sprints and proof of concepts trails
Act as the OI client manager for R&D teams and external customers
Define and execute an Open Innovation strategy and technology roadmaps
Facilitating business and technical decision makers in the translation of strategy into Open Innovation projects
Represent the company’s interests in relationships and joint development efforts
Work closely with IP attorneys in negotiating licensing and joint development agreements
Design and run Innovation challenges, hackathons, proof-of-concepts (POCs), and partner pilots
Identify and evaluate startups, academic labs, technology vendors, and internal teams with strengths in LLMs, autonomous agents, and more

Requirements

What you’ll need

BS/MS degree in Chemical/Mechanical/Food Engineering or PhD in Food Science with deep technical background in AI or related discipline
6-8 years of experience in R&D, Open Innovation, or corporate venturing in the food or CPG industry, with 2+ years exploring digital/AI solutions
Strong familiarity with R&D workflows
Proven track record in building relationships internally and externally and in interacting with senior executives
Experience with vendor selection, contract negotiations, alliance and partner management and IP frameworks
Working knowledge of technology transfer and intellectual property principles
Cross-functional influencer — ability to drive collaboration across R&D, digital, legal, manufacturing and commercial teams
Strategic thinker with pragmatic delivery orientation; able to translate research into scalable products
Strong communicator who can explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and prepare executive materials
Experience with corporate venturing, scouting platforms, or challenges-based open innovation programs
Knowledge of food products and packages and food manufacturing processes
Self-driven to become up to speed on new technologies

Benefits

Comp & perks

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
Wellbeing events, resources, and learning opportunities
Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
Employee Assistance Program, Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Open InnovationR&DAItechnology transferintellectual propertyvendor selectioncontract negotiationsalliance managementproof of conceptsfood manufacturing processes

Soft Skills

cross-functional influencerstrategic thinkerstrong communicatorrelationship buildingcollaborationpragmatic delivery orientationinteracting with senior executivesself-driventranslating research into productsfacilitating decision making

Certifications

BS degree in Chemical EngineeringMS degree in Mechanical EngineeringPhD in Food Science