AFH Research & Development Innovation Chef

Job Description

Job Purpose

As the AFH R&D Innovation Chef, you serve as the Away from Home (AFH) Culinary team lead for development of new formulas and products for the Kraft Heinz Away from Home channel and its customers. This role involves collaboration with culinary teams and customers to create gold-standard concepts, partnering with R&D teams to transform these concepts into commercially viable products. Additionally, the role supports concept development, customer engagements, and industry activations alongside the broader culinary team.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Delivery culinary insights, trends, and inspiration sessions for innovation projects.
• Develop “culinary gold standard” prototypes for product development.
• 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 standard for innovation and renovation projects.
• Present culinary trends and industry updates internally and externally.
• Translate consumer-centric trends into concepts, solutions, and recipes.
• Partners with brand marketing, corporate sales chefs, R&D, sales, insights, and external customers.
• Collaborate with product developers to address functional product aspects during development.
• Manage culinary product quality throughout the stage-gate process.
• Combine nutrition awareness with culinary expertise to support creative innovation.
• Ensure compliance with safety and hygiene policies.
• Operate the lab and kitchen efficiently, maintaining a focus on safety, operations, and finances.
• Test product performance in applications and document findings.
• Conduct competitive reviews of product portfolios.
• Support sales chefs with product demonstrations and storytelling.
• Engage in ingredient sourcing and supplier qualification processes.
• Maintain lab and sample inventories with R&D and technical services teams.
• Prepare and ship samples and products as needed.
• Participate in the Kraft Heinz’s global culinary community by sharing trends, recipe ideas, and best practices.
• Network with industry culinary trendsetters and organizations.

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.
• 5+ years of product development experience, including sauce, dip, condiment, and soup formulations.
• 3+ 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, with primary offices at Kraft Heinz’s Innovation Center located in Glenview, IL and a secondary 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.

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 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)

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the job application or hiring process should contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com.