Sr Principal Scientist, R&D - Protein Chemist

Sr.Principal Scientist, R&D– Protein Chemist​

Job Purpose 

The Kraft Heinz Next Generation Ingredients R&D team isseekinga highly motivated and experienced applied Protein Chemist to join our team in Glenview, IL.This role is central to our mission of developing innovative, high-quality food products thatleveragethe functional and nutritional benefits of dairy and meat proteins.As a seniorresearchleader within our team,you willuse your deep technicalexpertisein protein chemistry toinform product design,optimizeprocesses, and provide strategic direction oningredient interactions, ingredient/process interactions, and strategy around protein ingredientsacross the Kraft Heinz portfolio.This role requires a strong technical background, intellectual curiosity, and excellent communication and collaboration skills. This isa great opportunityfor a technical expert that is looking to thrive in both the lab and businesssetting.

EssentialFunctions &Responsibilities

• ​​Apply your knowledge of protein functionality (e.g., emulsification, gelation, water binding) to improve food texture, stability, and performance.

• ​Lead formulation and application work using dairy and meat proteins in products such as sauces, snacks,desserts, cheese,dairy-based beverages, and meat systems.Additionalexperience or ability to translateknowledgeto plant-based proteins is a plus.

• ​Partnerswith Product Development, Process Engineering, Nutrition, Regulatory, and Marketing teams to support product innovation from concept through commercialization.

• ​Evaluate new protein ingredients and technologies from suppliers and academic partners;identifyopportunities for joint research and technology scouting.

• ​Support scale-up and manufacturing by addressing protein-related processing challenges.

• ​Develop andmaintaina deep understanding of the protein ingredient landscape, including emerging technologies (e.g., enzymatic modification, fermentation-derived proteins, hybrid protein systems).

• ​Design and execute experiments to generate data on protein behavior under various processing and storage conditions.

• ​Maintain detailed documentation of experimental protocols and results.

• ​Prepare and file Invention Disclosure Forms (IDFs) to document novel technologies and support patent filings; conduct patent landscape analyses to assess freedom-to-operate, competitive activity, and whitespace opportunities, and translate findings into actionable R&D and innovation strategy

• ​Stay current on protein science, food regulations, and consumer trends to inform application strategiesandmaintainrelevant external network​

Expected Experience& Required Skills

• ​​Bachelor’swithminimum8 yearsrelevantindustry experienceORMaster’s withminimum7 yearsrelevantindustryexperienceORPhD withminimum6 years of relevant industry experience in applied protein chemistry or food formulation, with a focus on dairy and/or meat proteins.Degreein Food Science, Biochemistry, Dairy/Meat Science, or a related fieldis highly preferred.

• ​Fundamental understanding of proteinstructure,from theprimaryamino acidsequencethroughsecondary,tertiary, and quaternarystructures.

• ​Strong understanding of how proteins behave in real food systems and during processing.

• ​Deepexpertiseinprotein characterizationandprotein-based ingredient interactions, including protein-protein interactions, protein-carbohydrate interactions, and protein-lipid interactions, and the analyticaland modeling approaches used to study them.

• ​Experience withadjacentingredient fundamentals and their interaction, specifically to proteins, dairy, and non-dairy, and/or enzymes.

• ​Stronggraspof food industry trends, consumer preferences, and regulatory requirements.

• ​Experience with pilot plant trials, ingredient functionality testing, and cross-functional product development.

• ​Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to translate science into practical solutions.

• ​Excellent communication and collaboration skills,includingthe ability to work effectively with cross-functional teamsand engage non-technical audiences.

• ​Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage complexity,navigateambiguity, and think creatively.

• ​Possess excellent industry external ecosystem,with experienceestablishingand leading collaborative research with outside partners.​

Work Environment 

This positionoperatesprimarily in a hybrid work environment and is based at the Kraft Heinz R&D Innovation Center in Glenview, IL. 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.

Physical Requirements  

Physicaldemandsinclude butare notlimited to:

• ​​Work is performed in an R&D Innovation Center laboratory, with occasional pilot plant exposure.

• ​Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull materials and equipment up to 50lbs(e.g., ingredient containers, lab apparatus, sample boxes).

• ​Frequent use of hands for fine motor tasks such as measuring, weighing, labeling, and operating laboratory instruments.

• ​Frequent repetitive motion, including handling tools, containers, and data entry.

• ​Occasional bending, crouching, or stooping to access low storage, equipment, or sample placement.

• ​Must be able to wear andutilizerequired Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including lab coats, gloves, hairnets, safety glasses, and hearing protection where applicable.

​​

This job description is not designed to cover orcontainall duties or responsibilities that are requiredofthe role. Duties or responsibilities may change or be added with or without notice.