Keurig Dr Pepper

Job Overview:

Job Title: R&D Senior Manager R&D, Product Development

Location: Frisco, Texas

JOB DESCRIPTION

At Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP), innovation and impact drive everything we do. Guided by our vision — Drink Well, Do Good — our Product Development team leads the charge in delivering breakthrough innovations, driving productivity, and elevating the performance of our portfolio.

We’re seeking a strategic and collaborative R&D Senior Manager to a team of Product Developers through the successful design and execution of product modernization, brand integration, and compliance initiatives. This high-visibility role is essential to bringing new ideas to market, optimizing our product lineup, and enhancing the value of our brands.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

As the R&D Product Development Senior Manager, you will work in a dynamic, fast-paced, and highly collaborative environment where strategic thinking, creativity, leadership, and a self-motivated drive for excellence & results are critical. The ideal candidate will develop & implement holistic portfolio solutions that contribute to the overall KDP agenda. There will be a high degree of interaction and collaboration with R&D, Marketing, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Ingredient Suppliers.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and lead the product modernization R&D strategy across KDP’s portfolio (CSD, Juice, Water, Tea, Energy, Sauce, Mixers, and other) by influencing stakeholders, peers, and teams to sell and execute the strategic vision and road map
• Lead the development of ideas through new technologies, supplier partnerships, and external innovation to build out a robust roadmap
• Manage team of Scientists, where role is empowered to make decisions & recommendations while influencing key stakeholders and Brand owners on the purpose, functionality & role of the product
• Provide technical leadership in the optimization of existing products from bench to pilot scale up, and through full commercialization for the US and Canadian market across all categories (Carbonated Soft Drinks, Juice, Teas, Sauce, Energy, Mixers, and others)
• Proactively influence and co-lead workshops, planning, and the technical and financial assessment of ideas with cross-functional partners
• Lead and manage communication with senior leaders, cross-functional partners, and leaders on the overall agenda
• Consider and develop contingency plans to protect the future of portfolio
• Develop robust performance and development plans for each direct report to ensure talent development is priority within High Performance Team culture
• Build strong relationships with internal and external partners
• Positively influence and engage in a creative, performance driven culture

Requirements:

• BS in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, MS/MBA is preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in Product Development, Food Manufacturing, R&D, or related function (Food and Beverage experience required)
• Minimum of 4-6 years’ experience managing, leading, and developing direct reports
• Additional experience with hot fill, cold fill, retort, and aseptic processes is a plus.
• Ability to travel is required

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent team leadership abilities; leading and developing talent, guiding, inspiring, and motivating team members to perform at their best.
• Ability to manage ambiguity and complex problems. Create solution paths reflecting a range of sustainable, functional, and technically feasible options.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills (PowerPoint), with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Extremely strong skills in business acumen, financial analysis, influencing, leading cross-functional teams
• Highly organized with a strong attention to detail and the ability to juggle multiple projects and priorities.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Change readiness, resiliency and flexibility to thrive in fast moving organization
• Self-motivated, takes initiative, highly collaborative

Company Overview:

Keurig Dr Pepper (NASDAQ: KDP) is a leading beverage company in North America, with a portfolio of more than 125 owned, licensed and partners brands and powerful distribution capabilities to provide a beverage for every need, anytime, anywhere. We operate with a differentiated business model and world-class brand portfolio, powered by a talented and engaged team that is anchored in our values. We work with big, exciting beverage brands and the #1 single-serve coffee brewing system in North America at KDP, and we have fun doing it!

Together, we have built a leading beverage company in North America offering hot and cold beverages together at scale. Whatever your area of expertise, at KDP you can be a part of a team that’s proud of its brands, partnerships, innovation, and growth. Will you join us?

We strive to be an employer of choice, providing a culture and opportunities that empower our team of ~29,000 employees to grow and develop. We offer robust benefits to support your health and wellness as well as your personal and financial well-being. We also provide employee programs designed to enhance your professional growth and development, while ensuring you feel valued, inspired and appreciated at work.

Keurig Dr Pepper is an equal opportunity employer and recruits qualified applicants and advances in employment its employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability or association with a person with a disability, medical condition, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.