Senior Scientist, R&D - Transformation

Job Description

​​As the Senior Scientist for NA R&D Transformation, you will lead knowledge management that enables R&D teams to capture, organize, reuse, and apply technical knowledge more effectively. You will strengthen R&D knowledge maturity by improving access to technical documentation, external research, reusable learnings, and emerging digital tools — accelerating innovation, reducing duplication, and enabling better decision-making.​  

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:  

• ​​Develop and execute a roadmap to advance the maturity of NA R&D knowledge and information management. 
• ​Strengthen the deliberate creation, codification, application, and reuse of R&D knowledge, including structured approaches that convert tacit knowledge into explicit reusable assets and reduce duplication of work.  
• ​Own knowledge assets and standards, spanning technical documentation, external knowledge sources, library/historical content, and AI/search-enabled tools. 
• ​Define and apply taxonomy, ontology, knowledge graphs, and metadata for critical knowledge, and establish supporting governance. 
• ​Improve accessibility of assets through next-generation knowledge initiatives such as enterprise search tools, on-demand AI research platforms, and expert knowledge enablement. 
• ​Partner with R&D teams, digital teams, and functional stakeholders to drive adoption of knowledge management tools, standards, and ways of working. 
• ​Engage the R&D community through communication platforms, training, office hours, and department meetings. 
• ​Guide and motivate R&D teams in knowledge capture by sharing practices, expertise, and learning across the enterprise. 
• ​Manage R&D enterprise knowledge resources, partnerships, and external/vendor stakeholders.  
• ​Define and track metrics to measure knowledge management maturity, adoption, and impact.​ 

Expected Experience & Required Skills:

• ​​Bachelor of Science required in either a science or engineering field (e.g., Food Science, Food Engineering, Packaging, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Life Sciences) or in Library/Information Science, Knowledge Management, or a related discipline.   
• ​Experience and/or education highly desired in in library science, information science, digital tools, or knowledge management. 
• ​4+ years in a Research and Development function required with exposure to areas such as Innovation, Product Process, Packaging, Sensory, or Analytical. Strong communication, facilitation, influencing, project management, and problem-solving skills. 
• ​Demonstrated ability to manage stakeholders, lead organizational change, and maintain a customer focus while working with large volume of information and attention to detail highly desired. 
• ​Familiarity with AI tools including LLM, RAG, sematic layers, agents, research assistants, and knowledge management methodologies preferred.  
• ​Experience with or exposure to ServiceNow, Microsoft Power Platform (PowerApps, Power BI), AI-enabled research/search tools, and Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN) desired. ​ 

Work Environment & Schedule:

• This position is based at the Kraft Heinz R&D Innovation Center in Glenview, Illinois. Our hybrid model provides flexibility based on business needs, allowing employees to work virtually up to two days per week, with an expectation to work on-site at least three days per week at the Glenview Innovation Center.   

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:

$89,800.00 - $112,200.00

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)

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.