As a Principal Scientist, you will lead and scale Open Innovation (OI) initiatives across R&D to accelerate product, process, packaging innovation in the food business. In partnership with the North America R&D Leadership Team, you will manage and govern our External Partnerships and Open Innovation program, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, focus, and budget adherence. You will scout partners, drive agile sprints and proof of concepts trails, and support the implementation of novel technology platforms. You will act as the OI client manager for the R&D teams and external customers. Interact across business and technical functions at various levels of seniority throughout the company, provide technical knowledge of open innovation best practices.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
- Define and execute an Open Innovation strategy and technology roadmaps that integrate digital transformation and AI capabilities with R&D priorities.
- Facilitating business and technical decision makers in the translation of strategy into Open Innovation projects.
- Participate in aspects of Open Innovation capability for the company, to find new or emerging technology and services that can be adapted to provide new product opportunities, or lead to significant cost reduction in operations supporting the digital and food science platforms.
- Representing the company’s interests in relationships and joint development efforts with certain academic and industrial partners who can provide technology and know-how that will help address our important needs.
- Assisting in negotiating and structuring joint development or license agreements with chosen partners.
- Work closely with IP attorneys in negotiating licensing and joint development agreements. Support IP strategy, evaluate invention disclosures tied to Open Innovation projects, and coordinate with corporate venturing or licensing teams on commercialization.
- Working with technology brokerage companies to solicit input from outside experts on our specific technical needs. Coordinate rapid and effective response to unsolicited Open Innovation proposals.
- Identify and evaluate startups, academic labs, technology vendors, and internal teams with strengths in LLMs, autonomous agents, robotics, simulation, sensory analytics, predictive shelf-life modelling, and Digital Twins.
- Design and run Innovation challenges, hackathons, proof-of-concepts (POCs), and partner pilots; manage contracts and IP terms in collaboration with legal and procurement.
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- Perform a preliminary technical and business assessment of technology to determine whether this should be pursued.
Expected Experience & Required Skills
- 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.
Work Environment & Schedule
This position is considered a Normal office environment with moderate travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc.; offices are open workspaces
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:
- 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 NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com for assistance.
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