Senior Scientist, R&D - Consumer Experience

Job Purpose    ​ ​ The   Senior Scientist for CX Product   Insights   leads consumer experience learning plans and product research for an assigned set of brands/platforms within the Kraft Heinz North American Zone.   You’ll   proactively define key information needs and design fit-for-purpose research approaches with   appropriate methodological   rigor to answer critical business and technical questions, guiding product and packaging development from ideation through launch readiness. You synthesize learning into decision-ready recommendations and clear experience requirements that enable winning renovation and innovation, while   demonstrating   best-in-class CX tools, methods, and ways of working across the business.   You’ll   partner closely with R&D (Product & Process Development, Packaging, Sensory), Marketing/Brand, Insights, Culinary, and external suppliers to ensure consumer learning is converted into practical product, packaging, and technical decisions. ​       Essential   Functions &   Responsibilities     ​ ​ Provide consumer experience (CX) leadership for the assigned portfolio/projects.   ​ Lead day-to-day CX learning plan execution, aligning research to the highest-value business and technical decisions at each milestone (prototyping, qualification, launch readiness).   ​ Ensure projects enter and exit key development stages with clear, validated CX direction and   appropriate documentation .   ​ Design and execute qualitative and quantitative research focused on product and package experience.   ​ Identify   actionable recommendations from CX research for assigned categories/brands, synthesizing findings across phases and relevant data sources.   ​ Translate consumer needs and Jobs-to-Be-Done into clear product and packaging experience targets, design criteria, and requirements that teams can apply in development and qualification.   ​ Deliver decision-ready recommendations (“so what / now what”) that clarify risks, tradeoffs, and next steps, and drive cross-functional alignment.   ​ Manage external research suppliers: scoping, proposals, timelines, budgets, quality expectations, fieldwork oversight, and deliverable quality.   ​ Lead multiple projects with effective prioritization, operating discipline, documentation, and stakeholder communication.   ​ Ensure compliance with data integrity and privacy requirements. ​           Expected Experience   & Required Skills   ​ ​ Bachelor’s degree   required ; advanced degree preferred in Engineering, Food Science, Physical Science, Consumer Behavior/Psychology, Industrial Design, or Marketing with a strong consumer research focus. Marketing Research professional   certification   also   relevant.   ​ Minimum of   4+ years (BS) or   3 + years (MS) in consumer/product research or consumer experience roles supporting product development and commercialization ,   CPG   strongly   preferred   ,   food & beverage   ideal .   ​ Demonstrated ability to translate consumer learning into actionable direction that informs product and package decisions.   ​ Qualitative and quantitative research capability: study design, instrument development, synthesis, and storytelling.   ​ Comfort with common research , survey/testing, and analysis platforms.     ​ Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management in a matrixed environment.   ​ Project management strength: prioritization, navigating ambiguity, attention to detail, and on-time delivery.   ​ Clear written and verbal communication; ability to work both independently and collaboratively.   ​ Analytical problem-solving with high detail orientation.   ​ Ability to manage multiple priorities.     ​ May provide informal mentorship or guidance to junior team members. ​     Work Environment & Schedule   We believe the office is a critical driver of innovation, connection,