Associate Brand Manager, Innovation - Portfolio Brands

All Posting Locations: Chicago, IL, US

Job Functions: Marketing

Date Published: January 13, 2026

Ref#: R-99242

ABOUT THE ROLE

Job Description

An Associate Brand Manager, Innovation will play a crucial role in driving the development of new & delicious products from concept to launch, for our frozen snack brands. This position requires a creative and analytical thinker with a passion for food innovation and the ability to work collaboratively across various departments.

You’ll lead a cross-functional team of colleagues from Product & Packaging R&D, Culinary, Consumer Insights, Sales, Finance, and Supply Chain, and manage the end-to-end commercialization process to bring new and exciting innovation products to market. This position is best suited for someone who is has a strong bias for action, ownership mentality, able to deal with ambiguity, strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills. This person must be comfortable working both horizontally and vertically across an organization to keep multiple projects and priorities moving forward to achieve deadlines.

Key Components of the Role:

• Lead the ideation, development and execution of new products

• Leverage syndicated data sources to understand own and competitor category performance, bringing forth insights and recommendations that drive business impact

• Develop product concepts, prototypes, and formulations in collaboration with R&D and culinary teams

• Manage the product commercialization process and lead cross-functional teams (including R&D, Marketing, Culinary, CIS, Supply chain, Sales & Finance) ensuring timely, on budget and successful project completion

• Manage agency relationships for packaging design of new products, and lead validation with consumers in partnership with the consumer insights team

• Contribute to the Masterbrand innovation strategy and 3-year pipeline by identifying trends, consumer jobs to be done and innovation territories that align with our Masterbrand strategy and point-of-difference

• Partner with the Marketing & Sales teams to develop compelling product launch plans, product positioning, packaging, and promotional strategies and customer & sales presentations

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (or advanced degree) in Business, Marketing, or related field

• 3 to 5 years of experience (prior experience in marketing or product innovation, especially CPG, preferred)

• Strong project management skills with ability to successfully handle multiple projects simultaneously and deliver on timelines (Experience in cross-functional team management preferred)

• Outstanding verbal, written and interpersonal communications skills

• Creative thinker with strong analytical skills

• Operates with a sense of urgency

• Strong leadership and results driven

• Passion for food and flavor innovation

• Growth mindset and consumer obsessed

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:

$104,200.00 – $130,200.00

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)

Chicago/Aon 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 [email protected] for assistance.

MARKETING AT KRAFT HEINZ

THE
STRATEGIZERS

Our Marketing team are the voice of our consumers. Connecting the right people, to the right products, with the right messages and campaigns.

We’re the architects of category growth, making sure our brands are front and center — winning the battle for attention in the minds of people everywhere.