Innovation Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Description
As a Corporate Innovation Chef, you will support Away From Home (AFH) innovation and renovation by building culinary prototypes, partnering with R&D on technical feasibility and functional performance, and enabling the business through strong lab operations, inventory management, and sample execution. In addition, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the culinary strategy for both the market and key customers for Kraft Heinz's AFH and Kraft Heinz Ingredients (KHI) business.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
• Create bench prototypes and collaborate with R&D scientists to ensure technical feasibility.
• Provide technical expertise and culinary insights to meet regional and channel-specific taste and quality standards for innovation and renovation projects.
• Collaborate with product developers to address functional product aspects during development (e.g., stability, viscosity/texture, hold time, reheat performance, sensory targets).
• Test product performance in applications and document findings clearly for R&D and commercial teams.
• Conduct competitive reviews of product portfolios and summarize key learnings.
• Create product formulas leveraging Kraft Heinz AFH and KHI products, aligning with customer manufacturing and back-of-house capabilities.
• Translate global and local market food trends into relevant food concepts and recipes to optimize the Kraft Heinz product portfolio.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including Sales, Marketing, and R&D, to prioritize new product offerings and improvements aligned with business objectives.
• Lead professional culinary sessions with regional and global customers to showcase new products, demonstrate product versatility, and address customer needs.
• Manage and grow culinary business relationships with key accounts in specific channels.
• Support industry trade shows and activations
• Provide on-site consultations, engaging in menu concept development, tastings, and culinary training to meet customer objectives.
• Contribute innovative concepts supported by market data to R&D and Innovation chefs to align with the company's NPD/Innovation strategy.
• Engage in ingredient sourcing and supplier qualification processes; communicate with vendors to obtain materials urgently when needed.
• Manage lab material inventory proactively (ingredients, disposables, smallware's); maintain tracking, reorder points, and inventory accuracy.
• Organize and clean the lab/kitchen in partnership with other R&D team members to ensure readiness and standards.
• Ensure compliance with safety and hygiene policies.
• Operate the lab and kitchen efficiently, maintaining a focus on safety, operations, and finances.
• Prepare and ship samples/products as needed, including time-sensitive customer sample orders.
• Maintain lab and sample inventories with R&D and technical services teams.
• Conduct professional and engaging presentations with confidence, ensuring seamless execution though advance planning, organization, detailed communications, and appropriate time management.
• Works on a variety of projects, including menu concept development, product development, customer work sessions, tasting, product cuttings & testing, culinary product training and other company and customer related projects as needed.
Expected Experience & Required Skills
• Possess a degree in Culinary Science, Culinology, or a combined field of Culinary Arts and Food Science. Candidates with a degree in a related field or a relevant professional background will also be considered.
• 3+ years of product development experience, including sauce, dip, condiment, and soup formulations.
• 5+ years of commercial or corporate culinary experience, or extensive food service experience with a proven background in various food service channels such as hotels, FSR, QSR management, bar and grills, catering, B&I, or institutional dining.
• A passion for learning, solving challenges, and leveraging insights for product innovation.
• Strong interest in food trends, flavor profiles, and culinary innovation to inspire new product development and stay ahead of market demands.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective business relationships.
• Adept at working with live customer interactions, providing culinary demonstrations, and engaging in presentations with confidence and professionalism.
• Possess a deep understanding of commercial restaurant cooking equipment, cooking techniques, and principles.
• Extensive familiarity with food ingredients, including their origin, handling, cooking applications, flavor pairings, and sensory attributes.
• Strong knowledge of food manufacturing processes and their influence on product development.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), with the ability to create clear reports and presentations.
• Must have a valid driver's license and meet MVR requirements.
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time.
Work Environment & Schedule
This position operates primarily in an office/lab environment with some travel to customer locations, stores, and manufacturing facilities as needed. We offer a hybrid work model that provides flexibility based on business needs, allowing employees to work virtually up to two days per week. Employees are expected to work in person at least three days per week based on needs of the business, with primary offices at Kraft Heinz's Innovation Center located in Glenview, IL and office in downtown Chicago, IL. Travel requirements determined by projects and customer engagements.
Physical Requirements Physical demands include but are not limited to:
• Ability to stand for extended periods during food demonstrations, product testing, or culinary presentations.
• Frequent walking, bending, and reaching required during food preparation and kitchen activities.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, including food supplies, equipment, and ingredients.
• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer for tasks such as creating reports, marketing materials, and product testing documentation.
• Travel to customer locations, stores, or manufacturing facilities, which may involve extended periods of sitting or standing.
• Ability to handle commercial kitchen equipment safely and efficiently, including cutting, chopping, and other repetitive motions during food preparation tasks
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:
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
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.