Associate Director, Global Innovation

Job Description

Associate Director, Disruptive Innovation

Job Description

Are you ready to pioneer innovations that redefine the market? Lead some of the largest global innovations across Kraft Heinz? As a leader of Global Innovation, you will shape the innovation pipeline, guide agile teams through concept-to-launch, and partner closely with business units and global functions to deliver commercial impact.

Sitting in the Global Growth Office, this Associate Director role reports to the Senior Director of Global Innovation and leads a high-performing team of cross-functional innovation professionals tasked with launching products that drive business growth across the world under our flagship Heinz brand.

This individual will support end-to-end innovation development, from creating the pipeline, through in-market experiments and ultimately, launch. If you are a hands on, highly-collaborative leader who can move from strategy to execution in this dynamic space, we want to hear from you!

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple cross-functional Agile Pods (typically ~5 people per pod) to progress opportunities from concept through launch

• Define and maintain a strategic pipeline for priority innovation spaces, including clear investment choices and learning plans

• Partner with Marketing, R&D, Insights, Sales, Finance, and Supply Chain to design and execute experiments (e.g., concept tests, prototypes, in-market pilots)

• Build alignment with senior stakeholders by bringing clear options, trade-offs, and recommendations

• Coach teams on test-and-learn ways of working, consumer-centric problem solving, and rapid iteration

• Track performance and ensure teams deliver against defined success metrics (learning milestones, launch readiness, and commercial targets)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, MBA preferred
• 8+ years of proven experience in marketing or innovation consulting
• Deep functional innovation expertise

• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and developing talent
• Comfort with ambiguity

• Strong stakeholder alignment and influence skills across multiple partners and geographies

• Financial acumen, including comfort with P&L and business case development

• Experience in CPG is a plus

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:

$164,200.00 - $205,200.00

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

Location(s)

Chicago/Aon Center

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 [email protected] for assistance.