HEAD OF R&D

Job Description
Objective:
Responsible for leading and executing the R&D strategy and technical agenda for the Mexico BU regarding Innovation, Renovation, Value Engineering, Product Performance and Product improvement project portfolio for core taste elevation categories (Ketchup, Mayo), Pasta Sauce, Baby Food and jam . Ensure best practices alignment, regulatory compliance and food safety, while guaranteeing the financial and technical feasibility for new and existing products.
Key Activities/ Deliverables:
- Be the MEXICO focus point/ 'go to' R&D person for the Mexican business, WEEM Team and for the cross-functional team members to drive excellence through exceptional strategic thinking and technical rigor, cascading the R&D Strategy & best practices outside the region and connecting the team across the globe. Ensure strong alignment on priorities, visibility of decision making, and agreeing on boundaries for decision making. Be responsible to hire the best talents to the region, ensuring to retain them and to develop their careers.
- Lead R&D projects for product and packaging development (innovation, renovation and productivity), including new ideas generation for innovation, value engineering and product improvement pipeline.
- Management, development and training plan for the R&D Team.
- Interface with the Manufacturing/Operations area to ensure the appropriate definition of standards and products.
- Interface with the Marketing, Innovation, Commercial and Procurement area with a focus on defining and approving the Company's standards.
- Responsible for leading projects, related to improvements in product performance and value engineering, as needed and in accordance with Mexican legislation and company guidelines.
- Actively participate in influencing the Supplier Homologation agenda, VE through specific technical forums.
- Lead the future R&D agenda, through prospecting with suppliers and KHC technology teams.
- Lead the internal R&D meetings to review and prioritize project activities and daily requests from other areas.
- Effective network building with Global and WEEM teams for alignment and search for opportunities in projects.
- Leadership with multifunctional and technical teams.
- Ensure the area's budget and spending plan.
- Participate in the main technical forums on the food agenda, as a KHC Interlocutor.
- Ensure the correct creation of ingredients, packaging and finished product documentation.
- Number of Reports: 5
Key Relationships:
Internal:
Marketing, Innovation, Commercial, Procurement, Logistics and Customer Service, Engineering, Operations/Manufacturing, Food Safety and Quality, Consumer Insights, Finance, Regulatory Affairs, EHS, IT, People and Legal.
External:
Suppliers of ingredients, packaging materials, equipment.
Research institutes
External labs
Consulting
Technical, communication, creative agencies
Customers
Auditors
Competencies (experiences/ Education):
- Complete Food Engineer graduation or similar (Chemical Engineering), desirable Master's degree.
- Minimum 10 years experience in product and process management, across Latam countries.
Skills (Knowledge/ Capabilities):
- Fluent English (written and spoken).
- Experience in the consumer goods industry.
- Experience in packaging, sensory, physical and chemical and / or consumer.
- Management of people and cross-functional teams.
- Project management.
- Knowledge of the main regulatory standards;
-Desirable experience in process tools, such as Kaizen.
- Communicative, organized and agility.
Location(s)
Mexico City - Antara Tower A - 5th Floor - Local Office
Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.