Director, Product Development

Job Overview

The Product Development team’s purpose is to lead the innovation and productivity agendas to grow KDP brands, transform beyond its core, and improve the profitability of our products. At KDP, our inspiration is to bring meaningful impact and that starts with our company vision – Drink Well, Do Good!

This Leadership role within R&D will lead the Innovation agenda to design and develop products across the Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSD) Portfolio and Food Service. The incumbent will be a strategic thinker, natural collaborator, influencer, and lead the development and commercialization of our key brands. This role positions Keurig Dr Pepper to delight our consumers and customers through a variety of our brands and channels.

The role will work closely with Marketing, Commercial, R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Finance leaders. The leader should have strong interpersonal skills to build key cross‑functional partnerships and relationships to foster a team environment aligned to the overall KDP values and culture.

The role will report to VP, Cold Product Development.

• Partner with Marketing to build the Innovation strategy across our CSD portfolio and Food Service channels by influencing stakeholders and peers on the strategic vision and road map.
• Lead the Product strategy, planning, influencing, and commercialization of the Food Service agenda with the Commercial and Marketing team.
• Implement the CSD R&D strategy, goals, and business plans to drive growth while appropriately allocating resources to balance immediate and long‑term objectives.
• Collaborate with R&D, Marketing, Commercial, Procurement, and Supply Chain on the CSD Innovation and Food Service pipeline across the KDP portfolio.
• Partner actively with R&D leaders in the progression of Design‑to‑Value, Product Design, New Technologies, Supplier partnerships, and external innovation to build out a robust multi‑year pipeline.
• Manage a team of Scientists, where the role is empowered to make decisions & recommendations on productivity ideas and development while influencing key stakeholders and Brand owners on the purpose, functionality & role of the product.
• Provide technical leadership in the development and optimization of products from bench to pilot scale up, and through full commercialization for the US and Canadian market.
• Proactively influence and co‑lead Innovation workshops, planning, and the technical and financial assessment of ideas with cross‑functional partners.
• Develop and communicate key business updates to stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Ability to create and lead processes to drive efficiency, resolve complexity, and prioritize high performance team behavior.
• Inspire, motivate, and develop talent maintaining a forward‑thinking, agile, and people‑focused environment.
• Manage and align the overall CSD and Food Service R&D budget and planning.

• Salary Range: $146,000 - $200,000. Actual placement within the compensation range may vary depending on experience, skills, and other factors.
• Benefits, subject to election and eligibility:
  Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Paid Time Off (including paid parental leave, vacation, and sick time), 401(k) with company match, Tuition Reimbursement, and Mileage Reimbursement.
• Annual bonus based on performance and eligibility.

• Minimum bachelor’s degree; graduate degree is a plus (Food Science or Engineering preferred).
• 12+ years of experience with a food/beverage company is highly desirable.
• 5+ years’ experience managing, leading, and developing direct reports.
• Additional experience with hot fill, cold fill, retort, and aseptic processes is a plus.
• Proficient in consumer design and value creation is a plus.
• Extremely strong skills in business acumen, financial analysis, influencing, and leading cross‑functional teams.
• Must have excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Demonstrated consumer empathy for developing consumer‑centric propositions.
• Ability to travel is required.

• Ability to manage ambiguity and complex problems. Create solution paths reflecting a range of sustainable, functional, and technically feasible options.
• Understanding…