Principal Scientist, R&D Open Innovation Expert

Job Purpose

As a Principal Scientist, youwill lead and scaleOpenInnovation(OI)initiatives across R&D to accelerate product , process , packaginginnovation in the food business.In partnership with the North America R&D Leadership Team,you will manageand govern our External Partnerships and Open Innovation program, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, focus, and budget adherence.You will scout partners,driveagilesprintsand proof ofconceptstrails,andsupport theimplementation ofnoveltechnology platforms.You will act as the OI client manager forthe R&D teamsand external customers. Interact across business and technical functions at various levels of seniority throughout the company,providetechnical knowledge of open innovation best practices.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Define and execute anOpenInnovation strategyand technology roadmapsthatintegratedigital transformation andAIcapabilities with R&D priorities.

• Facilitating business and technical decision makers in the translation of strategy intoOpenInnovationprojects.

• Participate in aspects ofOpenInnovation capability for the company, to find new or emerging technology and services that can be adapted toprovidenew product opportunities, or lead to significant cost reduction in operations supporting thedigital and food scienceplatforms.

• Representingthecompanys interestsin relationships and joint development efforts with certain academic and industrial partners who can provide technology andknow-howthat will help address our important needs.

• Assistingin 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 toOpen Innovation projects,and coordinate with corporate venturing or licensing teams on commercialization.

• Working with technology brokerage companies tosolicitinput from outside experts on our specific technical needs.Coordinate rapid and effective response to unsolicitedOpenInnovation proposals.

• Identifyand evaluate startups, academic labs, technology vendors, and internal teams with strengths in LLMs, autonomous agents, robotics, simulation, sensory analytics, predictive shelf-life modelling, and D igital T wins.

• Design and runInnovation challenges, hackathons, proof-of-concepts (POCs), and partner pilots; manage contracts and IP terms in collaboration with legal and procurement.

• Perform a preliminary technical and business assessment oftechnologytodeterminewhether this should be pursued.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• BS/MSdegree in Chemical/Mechanical/Food Engineeringor PhDin Food Sciencewithdeeptechnical background in AI or related discipline.

• 6-8 years of experience in R&D,OpenInnovation, or corporate venturing in the food or CPG industry, with 2+ yearsexploringdigital/AI solutions.

• Strong familiarity with R&D workflows

• Proventrack recordin building relationships internally and externally and in interacting with senior executives.

• Experience with vendor selection, contract negotiations,alliance andpartner 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,manufacturingand 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 offoodproducts andpackages and foodmanufacturing processes .

• S elf-driven to become up to speed onnew 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:

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 familys 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.

Youll 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)

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.