Head of Innovation – Meat, Cheese, Coffee & Snacking

Job Description

The Head of Innovation – MCCS leads the development and execution of the Business Unit’s innovation strategy across Meat, Cheese, Coffee, and Snacking. This role translates the 3-Year Strategy (3YS) and consumer/market insights into a prioritized innovation agenda that delivers pipeline performance and advances growth, margin, and incrementality goals. The role also ensures strong innovation sufficiency, governance, and prioritization routines across the BU and Zone, and serves as a subject matter expert and coach for MCCS platforms without dedicated innovation resources. This role reports to the Business Unit President, Meat, Cheese, Coffee & Snacking.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities  

• Translate the BU 3-Year Strategy (3YS) and foundational insights across business segments into a clear, category/brand-led innovation strategy and roadmap.

• Identify key consumer and market learning needs; partner with Consumer Insights & Strategy (CIS) to build and execute a learning plan that closes critical insight gaps.

• Build “process-capable” innovation in close partnership with Marketing, CIS, Category/Sales, and Supply Chain—prioritizing solutions that leverage existing network capabilities and capacity.

• Partner with business and sales teams to develop compelling retailer sell-in stories, strategies, and plans that bring the innovation agenda to life.

• Drive pipeline performance against growth, margin, and incrementality objectives, with clear tracking and routines.

• Lead innovation and renovation deliverables to the Zone on behalf of the BU, ensuring strong alignment and follow-through.

• Co-develop and embed innovation best practices in partnership with the Innovation Center of Excellence (COE), and scale those practices across the BU.

• Play a lead role in BU and Zone innovation sufficiency, governance, and prioritization through monthly and annual routines.

• Serve as Designated Lead Manager, Subject Matter Expert, and coach for platforms without dedicated innovation full-time employees (e.g., Coffee, Cheese).

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• Experience in innovation, product development, or related fields within the consumer goods industry.

• Strong cross-functional leadership and project management skills.

• Ability to leverage consumer insights and market data to drive strategy.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.

• Experience with pipeline management and performance tracking.

• Track record of defining the destination for a brand and mobilizing resources to enable the vision.

• Track record of delivering results in dynamic, fast-paced environments.

• Passion for understanding consumer behaviors.

• Willingness to take risk and explore new ways to engage and drive relevancy with consumers.

• Ability to approach complex challenges with an entrepreneurial mindset.

• Embraces change and thrives in ambiguity.

New Hire Base Salary Range: $260,000

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

#LI-Hybrid

Location(s): Chicago/Aon Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the job application or hiring process should contact NATAI@kraftheinz.com .

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:

$220,800.00 - $276,000.00

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

Long-Term Incentive (LTI): In addition to base salary and bonus, this role is eligible for additional compensation in the form of equity.

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 that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the job application or hiring process should contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com.