Senior Manager, R&D – E2E Complex Project Delivery, Process

The Kraft Heinz Company

R&D Process Project Delivery Sr Manager overseeing complex process development initiatives from concept to commercialization. Collaborating across functions to ensure successful product development and manufacturing.

Posted 6/12/2026full-timeGlenview • Illinois • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $120,800 - $151,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

ERPPMP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

As the R&D Process Project Delivery Sr Manager , you will own complex process development initiatives from early concept through scale-up, commercialization, and handover to operations.
Lead the full R&D lifecycle for process initiatives: ideation, feasibility, process design, modeling , validation, pilot trials, scale-up, and final handover to manufacturing and supply chain.
Translate consumer, product, and business requirements into fit-for-purpose manufacturing processes that meet performance, quality, cost, and timeline targets.
Serve as the technical integrator across process design and manufacturing capability.
Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Operations to assess process capability, equipment fit, line readiness, and scale-up risks.
Lead and coordinate pilot runs, first-time-right trials, and process validation activities to ensure smooth transition from R&D to full-scale production.
Identify , assess, and mitigate technical risks related to process robustness, variability, raw materials, and system interactions.
Act as project owner and single point of accountability for assigned R&D programs.
Collaborate with R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and external partners to define requirements, milestones, timelines, and success criteria.
Build and maintain integrated project plans including technical deliverables, decision gates, budgets, and resource needs.
Lead governance reviews, provide clear status reporting, and proactively escalate risks, trade-offs, and decisions.
Lead technical reviews of processing parameters, yield, stability, and performance testing.
Ensure compliance with quality, regulatory , food safety (as applicable), and shelf-life requirements.
Support cost optimization, value engineering, and continuous improvement initiatives across new and existing products.
Lead supplier and partner engagement related to processing technologies and external trials.
Coordinate third-party testing, pilot activities, and sample approvals as needed.
Apply R&D best practices including critical point risk assessment, failure mode effect analysis, and commissioning / qualification / validation.
Author process design scopes, transformation flowsheets, and manufacturing procedure specifications.
Contribute to the development of R&D processes, tools, and standards.
Mentor junior scientists/engineers and strengthen technical project execution capability within the team.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering , Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline.
8 + years of progressive experience in R&D product and process development within consumer goods, food and beverage, or similar industries, with increasing scope and accountability across scale-up, industrialization, and cross-functional leadership.
Demonstrated experience leading end-to-end product and process development programs, from concept through commercialization.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, scale- up , and industrialization.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical teams and influence without authority.
Solid project leadership skills, including planning, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
Proficiency with project tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, Excel); ERP experience (e.g., SAP) a plus .
Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
Experience leading complex, multi- site or global product launches.
Hands-on experience with pilot plants, process trials, and first commercial production runs.
Background in process optimization, yield improvement, or manufacturing continuous improvement.
Project management certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) preferred but not required .

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: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.
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

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

process developmentprocess designmodelingvalidationpilot trialsscale-upmanufacturing processesprocess optimizationyield improvementcontinuous improvement

Soft Skills

project leadershiprisk managementstakeholder communicationinfluence without authoritymentoringproblem-solvingcollaborationaccountabilitytechnical project executionstatus reporting

Certifications

PMPPRINCE2