Job Purpose
As the Senior Sensory Center of Excellence (CoE) Manager, you will serve as a key strategic partner and technical lead for sensory science within Kraft Heinz’s North American Zone (NAZ). This role is dedicated to providing expert sensory guidance and fostering a collaborative environment where scientific data helps drive product excellence. As the leader of this specialized CoE, you will focus on growing and mentoring a talented team of sensory professionals. Your goal is to provide the R&D organization with the "sensory source of truth”, delivering clear, actionable recommendations through a consultative approach that ensures our products are consistently best-in-class.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
· Team Development & Sensory CoE Leadership
o Talent Cultivation: Lead the growth and professional development of a high-performing sensory team. You will focus on coaching sensory scientists and panel leaders to reach their full potential through active mentorship and technical support.
o Collaborative Culture: Foster a team environment rooted in scientific curiosity and cross-functional partnership, ensuring the sensory team is seen as an accessible and vital resource for the broader R&D community.
o Operational Excellence: Optimize CoE workflows by integrating advanced digital tools and automation; evaluate and implement new sensory methodologies that reduce testing cycles and improve data reliability across global product development teams
· Annual Benchmarking & Product Stewardship
o QDA Leadership & Strategic Mapping: Spearhead the Yearly Product Profiling Program by designing and executing complex Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) studies. Partner with R&D to establish a systematic rhythm for mapping the portfolio against market standards, translating technical sensory fingerprints into strategic roadmaps for product optimization and high-impact innovation.
o Sensory Guidance: Serve as a trusted consultant for R&D project teams, offering expert recommendations on methodology—including discrimination, descriptive, and sensory screenings—to ensure project objectives are met with scientific integrity.
o Consistent Standards: Facilitate the adoption of best practices in sensory science across the zone, ensuring that the methodologies used are reliable, reproducible, and aligned with industry standards.
· Technical Partnership & Insights
o Actionable Recommendations: Translate complex sensory data into meaningful guidance that helps R&D partners refine product design principles and optimize formulations.
o Substantiation Support: Work closely with legal and regulatory partners to provide the sensory data needed to support product claims and benefits in a scientifically sound manner.
o Knowledge Sharing: Represent the North American CoE within the Global Sensory Excellence network, contributing to a global community of practice and staying informed on emerging sensory trends and technologies. Represent Kraft Heinz in professional organizations and at industry conferences.
o External Network Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with external sensory partners, ensuring we have the agility and specialized support needed for complex projects.
People Management Responsibilities
· Team (salaried): 5 direct reports.
Expected Experience & Required Skills
· Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Sensory Science, or a related Physical Science required. Master’s or PhD degree in Sensory Science or related field preferred.
· Minimum 8 years of experience in Sensory Science or Sensory Research within an FMCG/CPG environment (Food & Beverage preferred).
· Demonstrated ability to mentor, develop, and inspire technical teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.
· Experience developing and managing product benchmarking programs that generate long-term insights and value for the organization.
· Strong ability to translate complex sensory results into clear, actionable insights for cross-functional partners.
· Experience leveraging modern sensory software and digital data platforms to enhance the accuracy, speed, and strategic impact of sensory research.
· Ability to influence and guide others through expertise, credibility, and partnership rather than authority, while maintaining a people-first leadership approach.
· Demonstrates a proactive mindset toward evolving processes, adopting new technologies, and driving operational improvements, while leading teams through change.
· Ability to connect sensory activities (e.g., profiling, mapping, and benchmarking) to broader R&D strategy and long-term business objectives.
· Strong commitment to accurate, unbiased data and scientific rigor to inform product and business decisions.
· Deep expertise in sensory methodologies (including QDA) and the ability to translate complex data into clear narratives and strategic recommendations.
· Proven success working across internal R&D teams and external partners to integrate sensory insights into the product development lifecycle.
· Experience with RedJade (or similar sensory LIMS) and XLSTAT, R, or other statistical sensory analysis tools.
· Active participation in professional sensory science organizations (e.g., SSP, ASTM, IFT) to bring external insights and best practices into the organization.
Work Environment & Schedule
This position operates primarily in a hybrid work environment and is based at the Kraft Heinz R&D Innovation Center in Glenview, IL. Our hybrid model provides flexibility based on business needs, allowing employees to work virtually up to two days per week, with an expectation to work on-site at least three days per week at the Glenview Innovation Center. In addition, this role may periodically be required to work from or visit the Kraft Heinz North American Headquarters at the Aon Center in downtown Chicago to support meetings with senior leadership, cross-functional partners, and key stakeholders.
Physical Requirements
Physical demands include but not limited to
· List the job’s physical requirements. (Mental requirements are not needed.)
This job description is not designed to cover or contain all duties or responsibilities that are required of the role. Duties or responsibilities may change or be added with or without notice.
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:
$120,800.00 - $151,000.00Bonus: 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)
Glenview R&D CenterKraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority