Lead, R&D - Product Development (Beverages)

Location: Glenview, IL Innovation Center, United States; flexible hybrid schedule requiring at least three days per week at a KHC facility and approximately 20% travel

New hire base salary: $141,500–$176,900 per year, plus eligibility for a performance-based bonus.

Company

hirify.global develops and manufactures consumer food and beverage brands, including Capri Sun, Kool-Aid, and Mio.

What you will do

• Lead R&D category strategy for the Hydration Beverages business across near-, mid-, and long-term horizons.
• Partner with business units, cross-functional teams, plants, and suppliers to guide projects from concept through commercialization.
• Manage category resource planning, budgets, project priorities, technical timelines, risk assessments, and contingency plans.
• Translate research, consumer insights, and technical findings into business opportunities and actionable recommendations.
• Guide developers in testing, data analysis, documentation, and product commercialization while ensuring quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and speed to market.
• Lead, coach, and develop team members, build succession plans, and foster a high-performing and inclusive culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field with at least 11 years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree with at least 10 years of relevant experience.
• Technical experience with beverages, including ready-to-drink products, powders, or liquid concentrates.
• Experience leading R&D product development and commercialization in a complex, cross-functional environment.
• Strong understanding of ingredient functionality, ingredient interactions, and Design of Experiments.
• Ability to develop, coach, and lead others in a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
• Strong project management skills, including managing multiple priorities, allocating resources, assessing risk, and prioritizing work.
• Ability to solve problems independently, work in a fast-paced environment, and deliver results.
• Ability to translate technical findings into clear business opportunities and actionable recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, influencing, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to apply scientific principles and prior learning to new challenges and opportunities.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% based on business needs.

Culture & Benefits

• Normal office environment at the Glenview, IL Innovation Center with at least three days per week at a KHC facility.
• Moderate travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, and other sites.
• Healthcare, dental, vision, prescription drug, disability, life, and accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
• Paid time off, company holidays, leave of absence, flexible work arrangements, training, recognition, employee assistance, family support, and wellbeing programs.
• 401(k) and other financial wellbeing programs.
• Equal opportunity employer with reasonable accommodation available during the application process.