Manager, Innovation Insights - Away From Home

Job Description

About Us

The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands and global sales of approximately $25 billion. We’re a globally trusted producer of high-quality, great-tasting, and nutritious foods for over 150 years. While Kraft Heinz is co-headquartered in Chicago and Pittsburgh, our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands.

We spark joy around mealtime with our iconic brands, including Kraft, Oscar Mayer, Heinz, Philadelphia, Lunchables, Velveeta, Planters, Maxwell House, Capri Sun, Ore-Ida, Kool-Aid, Jell-O, Primal Kitchen, and Classico, among others.

No matter the brand, we’re united under one vision: To sustainably grow by delighting more consumers globally. Bringing this vision to life is our team of 39,000+ food lovers, creative thinkers, and high performers worldwide. Together, we help provide meals to those in need through our global partnership with Rise Against Hunger. We also stand committed to responsible, sustainable practices that extend to every facet of our business, our consumers, and our communities. Every day, we’re transforming the food industry with bold thinking and unprecedented results. If you share our passion – and are ready to create the future, build a legacy, and lead as a global citizen – there’s only one thing to do: join our table and let’s make life delicious!

Our Culture of Ownership, Meritocracy & Collaboration

We're not afraid to think differently. Embrace new ideas. Dream big. We empower our people at every level – from entry-level intern to senior leader – to own their work. We share a responsibility to think like Owners – to be mindful of the collective and sustained success of Kraft Heinz – which we apply to every situation, every day. As part of Kraft Heinz, you're supported to grow and achieve. You’re expected to bring your authentic self to work every day, to lead with humility, and drive outstanding performance at every level – and you’ll be rewarded. You’re given opportunities to leave a mark and build a legacy. But you won’t do it alone. You’re supported by passionate teammates along the way, and our collective, collaborative spirit fuels our incredible progress.

Position Summary

Manager, Consumer Insights – Away From Home Innovation

This role is responsible for generating and activating consumer and operator insights to bring Away From Home innovations to life. You will work across all phases of innovation development - from identifying unmet needs through concept development, testing, and refinement, to informing go-to market strategies. Using syndicated and custom research tools (including agile, test-and-learn approaches), you will translate learning into clear, actionable recommendations that shape innovation pipelines and new product launches across the Away From Home portfolio and channels (restaurants, noncommercial segments, and convenience stores).

You will partner closely with cross-functional teams including marketing, culinary, and R&D, and routinely present findings as compelling internal recommendations.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute scalable studies using syndicated and custom tools to build operator and consumer understanding and translate it into innovation direction.
• Drive internalization and synthesis of insights from key consumer touchpoints to uncover trends, unmet needs, white space opportunities, and “jobs to be done” across the Away From Home portfolio.
• Analyze and translate trend signals from various sources (flavor & menu trends, cultural shifts, consumption data, etc.) to inspire future innovation opportunities.
• Design and execute innovation learning plans, including idea screening, concept evaluation, product-package evaluation.
• Synthesize findings into clear reports and presentations by connecting insights to actionable implications for strategy and activation.
• Partner with key stakeholders, to ensure insights are embedded in innovation development and business planning, and ensure innovation pipeline is built in support of brand jobs to be done and business priorities.
• Represent the insights function in internal and external conversations, presenting recommendations with clear, data-driven logic.

Key Skills:

• Critical-thinker: Curious and creative with an understanding of business dynamics and insight approaches
• Analytical & pattern-driven: Ability to leverage multiple data sources, recognize patterns, and create actionable recommendations.
• Innovation-minded: Comfortable using front-end innovation approaches and agile/test-and-learn methods to quickly validate and iterate.
• Strong communicator/storyteller: Produces distilled, clean insights and compelling narratives; confident presenting to stakeholders and customers.
• Collaborative & self-motivated: Manages multiple workstreams and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment; demonstrates ownership and drive for results.
• Flexible: Adapts to ambiguity and shifting priorities while staying organized and impact-focused.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field
• 4+ years of proven Market Research/Insights experience (preferably 3+ years on the client side)
• Experience developing custom learning plans using a variety of research methods and tools to meet business questions/objectives
• Track record of results in new product innovation and consumer insights
• Proven ability to lead and manage multiple projects and work effectively with multiple teams and building effective partnerships
• Excellent communication, organization and presentation skills (written, oral, and across Microsoft Office Suite)

EEO Policy

Kraft Heinz is an EO employer – Minorities/Women/Vets/Disabled and other protected categories

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:

$104,200.00 - $130,200.00

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