Group Lead - Innovation Quality

Job Description

Job Purpose

The Group Lead of Quality Innovation will be responsible for ensuring that Kraft Heinz products and processes meet the highest quality and food safety standards throughout the product lifecycle, from initial design to manufacturing. They integrate quality considerations into the design process, working with the cross-functional commercialization teams to ensure compliance with brand standards, Kraft Heinz quality and food safety standards, and regulatory requirements. The Group Lead of Quality Innovation will be a people and platform leader that represents quality assurance and quality design on new projects. They will represent the Quality & Food Safety function at their respective BU Consumer Platform reviews and provide technical guidance to the Platform’s portfolio of projects.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert on quality by design matters, providing expertise and support to cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies and procedures
• Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive quality by design strategies, ensuring alignment with company goals, industry standards, and regulatory requirements
• Establish and maintain design quality and key performance indicators, conducting regular reviews and analyses to drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Develop and lead the Quality by Design plan for their respective platform in partnership with R&D.
• Helps to develop talent and skills in the organization in achieving results in all stages and gates in the End-to-End Commercialization Process.
• Lead the Innovation activities for Must Win innovations in their respective platform and ensure pre and post launch success.
• Champion Quality by Design; FMEA, pFMEA, Technical Risk Assessments, Commercial Risk Assessments, and QRMP leveraging product lifecycle management tools and project management systems.
• Applies knowledge of Packaging and Product formulations with Quality tools to achieve the highest level of quality through the innovation funnels, in new products or pilots/changes to the existing portfolio.
• Actively participates in driving the innovation sufficiency pipeline to success by working across the organization to ensure that appropriate product quality requirements are established and removing road blocks.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, R&D, Manufacturing, and Supply

Key Skills

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• Strategist: High level of strategic thinking involved across brand strategy, quality strategy and complex commercialization
• High Visibility Influencer: Influence at all levels of organization and work seamlessly with teams to drive impact.
• Simplifier: Strong ability to simplify complex challenges. Ability to distill information to tell a clear story to drive clarity though the organization.
• Commercialization Leader: demonstrated strong project leadership skills with clear knowledge of the commercialization process and ability to mobilize the cross-functional team
• Quality-in-Design – QiD acumen with understanding the degree to which the product design meets its intended purpose and user expectations, incorporating factors like functionality, aesthetics, and user experience.
• Collaborator: Team player and culture creator who works well in a fast-paced environment
• Flexible: Be adaptable and adjust to evolving consumer, legislative and regulatory environment

Qualifications/Experience

• Minimum of a B.Sc. in Food Science or related sciences / technological field and minimum 5+ years’ experience in a Food Related or Scientific Related field preferred.
• 4+ years of commercialization experience at Kraft Heinz or CPG Food Industry
• Demonstrate ability to understand food manufacturing.
• Regulatory Compliance familiarity with USDA, FDA or CFIA preferred
• Demonstrate ability to problem solve and extensive use of Quality tools such as Six Sigma, Lean, Root Cause Analysis, etc.
• Demonstrate ability to work with cross-functional groups within the organization
• Understanding of the procurement processes
• Strategic, big picture thinker who can also execute with excellence
• Comfortable challenging the status quo and driving decisions via strong, data-led stories
• Outstanding verbal, written and interpersonal communications skills
• Excellent organization and project management skills
• Travel requirements up to 40% a year.

Work Environment & Schedule

This position is considered a Field based environment; role requires frequent travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc. Approximately 30-40% travel. Additionally, this role requires flexible working schedule pending business needs.

Physical Requirements

Physical demands include but not limited to

• Occasional – activity or condition sustained up to 1/3 of working hours, upright stance, Sedentary – occasionally exerting 0-10 lbs. of force; limited movement from workstation for brief periods of time.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain all duties or responsibilities that are required of the role. Duties or responsibilities may change or be added with or without notice.

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

$141,500.00 - $176,900.00

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.

Benefits

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

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.