Procurement Lead, EMI - HDM

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Lead and develop a team of Innovation Managers responsible for sourcing and commercialization support across the business unit innovation portfolio mid and long term

Translate business unit and brand innovation priorities into clear team focus, resource alignment, and execution direction

Champion supplier-enabled innovation across the business unit and brands by helping the team identify, elevate, and connect supplier capabilities to the 3year innovation needs

Build the operating rhythm for innovation procurement across the portfolio, including prioritization, governance, issue escalation, and progress visibility

Coach Innovation Managers through complex sourcing, commercialization, and supplier challenges to strengthen decision making, problem solving, and execution quality

Remove barriers that slow innovation delivery by driving alignment across procurement, R&D, operations, finance, quality, legal, and business teams

Instill sourcing excellence across the team through strong standards in supplier selection, negotiation, contracting, commercialization readiness, and launch support

Drive consistency in how the team manages innovation sourcing activities, supplier engagement, transitions, and cross-functional coordination

Lead continuous improvement in innovation procurement ways of working to simplify processes, reduce rework, and improve speed, visibility, and execution effectiveness

Support portfolio-level prioritization and tradeoff discussions by surfacing risks, dependencies, capacity constraints, and execution challenges

Strengthen team capability in structured problem solving, risk sensing, scenario planning, and proactive stakeholder management

Partner with the Associate Director and core category procurement leaders to ensure alignment between innovation activity and broader business, supplier, and category strategies

Identify key areas for efficiencies post launch and set the base procurement teams up for success for the future

Ensure effective transition of launched innovation at external manufacturers from innovation procurement support into base business ownership after stabilization

Monitor portfolio health through key indicators related to sourcing progress, commercialization readiness, supplier readiness, timing, and execution risk

Foster a team culture of accountability, collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement

Expected Experience & Required Skills

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, finance, operations, engineering, or a related field; MBA and/or advanced procurement qualifications preferred

Significant procurement experience, ideally including innovation sourcing, external manufacturing, commercialization, ingredients, packaging, CAPEX, or related categories

Demonstrated people leadership experience, including coaching and developing high-performing teams

Strong experience supporting innovation, commercialization, supplier capability development, and launch execution in a fast-moving environment

Strong systems thinking, with the ability to connect innovation strategy, supplier capability, commercialization requirements, and cross-functional dependencies across the portfolio

Strong sourcing and supplier management foundation, with credibility to coach others on negotiation, contracting, commercialization readiness, and supplier execution

Curiosity about AI and digital tools, with interest in how they can improve visibility, decision making, efficiency, and team effectiveness

Strong solution-oriented mindset, with the ability to remove barriers, simplify complexity, and help teams move from issue identification to practical action

Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills across matrixed teams and functions

Strong problem-solving, prioritization, and execution capabilities across multiple concurrent initiatives

Ability to lead through ambiguity, support team decision making, and escalate issues with sound judgment

Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to strengthen innovation routines, governance, and ways of working over time

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with source-to-pay tools such as SAP, Ariba, Workday, and related systems

Work Environment & Schedule

This position is considered a normal office environment with moderate travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc.; offices are open workspaces. To create a more agile and modern workplace, we allow Chicago/Aon Center based employees to work virtually for up to two days each week and expect them to work in-person during the defined core days at their assigned work location at least three days per workweek.

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:

$141,500.00 - $176,900.00

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.