Chief Counsel, NA Food Law & Regulatory

Job Description

Chief Counsel, NA Food Law & Regulation

Reports to: General Counsel, North America

Location: Chicago (3-days/week in-office)

Base: $300,000-315,000

Position summary

Kraft Heinz Company is seeking an attorney leader who is a highly competent, self-starter, detail‑oriented team player with extensive experience in high-level food regulatory and compliance matters at a law firm or in‑house at a food‑related company. This position offers a unique opportunity to navigate cutting‑edge issues and projects in the food regulatory space. The ideal candidate is well grounded in federal and state regulatory frameworks and comfortable leading complex compliance work across a diverse portfolio in one of the world’s best food companies. A critical partner for Business, R&D, Quality, Legal, Government Affairs, Corporate Affairs, and other stakeholders. The position also serves as a leader within the Kraft Heinz Food Law and Regulation function, with more than 60 professionals worldwide, including managing a team of approximately 25 regulatory professionals in North America.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and strategic counseling on compliance with complex federal and state food law requirements, including requirements affecting food safety, food labeling and other marketing initiatives, food science, nutrition, packaging, and product liability.
• Develop creative, legally sound solutions for business initiatives that raise legal issues.
• Navigate an increasingly challenging regulatory environment and counsel stakeholders on new and emerging requirements, providing commercial solutions and options to cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Advocate on the company’s behalf, as necessary, with applicable local, state, and federal regulatory and enforcement authorities, and industry trade associations, including through relationship development with external stakeholders and the preparation and submission of comments on relevant rulemakings.
• Provide leadership and strategic counseling on high level, complex food safety, regulatory, and compliance matters, and be well‑versed with government enforcement practices.
• Lead compliance counseling, training, and support for the recall process; provide legal guidance for recalls and market withdrawals.
• Provide legal support for M&A activity, including assessing regulatory risk and providing regulatory compliance solutions and advice related to responsible integration or divestiture steps and procedures.
• Provide legal advice and support across the lifecycle of food products, including development and formulation, manufacturing, labeling, and marketing to support functions such as R&D, regulatory, quality, sales and marketing, commercial, and legal.
• Review and advise on food product labeling and packaging requirements, including required label elements, claims, and other labeling and packaging issues (e.g., labeling claims such as non‑GMO, statements of identity, nutrition labeling, front‑of‑pack presentations, slack fill, country of origin labeling).
• Review and advise on ingredients and product formulations (e.g., recipe development, ingredient lists).
• Lead and advise on product packaging matters, including compliance with EPR and other similar packaging sustainability initiatives.
• Maintain awareness of legislative, regulatory, and other developments affecting food law and research relevant issues.
• Operate autonomously and collaboratively with an interdisciplinary legal team, internal clients and external stakeholders to provide practical, business‑oriented legal and risk management advice and recommendations.
• Advocate and engage with regulators and industry groups as needed.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and top academic credentials and an active bar license.
• Minimum 20 years legal experience with at least 15 years food law experience, preferably in a government agency, at a top‑tier law firm, or as in‑house counsel.
• Meaningful experience supporting and influencing decisions o a wide array of business clients at all levels of the organization, including at the executive and/or board levels
• Expert knowledge of and experience interpreting and applying federal and state food law requirements, including in‑depth knowledge of FDA and USDA/FSIS procedures. Meaningful experience with CFIA. Experience with regulatory agencies, requirements and trends outside the U.S. and Canada a plus.
• Extensive labeling, marketing and claims experience.
• Significant experience reviewing and advising on food product labeling and packaging requirements and on ingredients and product formulations.
• Significant experience in food safety and security matters, including compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act, cGMPs, allergens, recalls and market withdrawals.
• Extensive experience leading or being a member of a cross-functional team during product, manufacturing, consumer or other public relations incidents related to food product matters.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, research and analytical skills, and the ability to provide legal and risk management guidance to a broad base of stakeholders in a clear, concise and actionable manner
• Demonstrated leadership experience leading, managing and developing teams of professionals
• Excellent time management, planning and organizing skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong verbal and written presentation skills

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:

$220,800.00 - $276,000.00

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

Long-Term Incentive (LTI): In addition to base salary and bonus, this role is eligible for additional compensation in the form of equity.

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 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.