R&D Product Development Manager

Job Title:

R&D Product Development Manager, Carbonated Soft Drinks

Location:

Frisco, Texas

The Product Development team’s purpose is to lead the innovation and productivity agendas to grow KDP brands by developing and commercializing ideas into the market. At KDP, our inspiration is to bring meaningful impact and that starts with our company vision -- Drink Well, Do Good!

The Leadership role within R&D will lead the CSD Innovation agenda translating brand and business priorities into actionable technical programs. The incumbent will be a strategic thinker, natural collaborator, and lead the development and commercialization of KDP products. This role positions Keurig Dr Pepper to holistically think through the overall design of our products to delight our consumers and customers.

The R&D Manager, CSD will work in a dynamic, fast paced, and highly collaborative environment where strategic thinking, creativity, leadership, and a self-motivated drive for excellence & results is critical. The successful candidate will combine strong technical expertise, people leadership, business acumen, and cross-functional influence to deliver 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.

• Lead, manage, and develop product development scientists, establishing clear expectations while building technical capability, independence, and leadership.
• Align team resources and assignments with portfolio priorities, project complexity, technical risk, and employee development needs.
• Provide technical leadership from concept development and bench formulation through pilot trials, scale-up, commercialization, and post-launch learning.
• Co-create the CSD innovation and renovation roadmap with R&D, Marketing, Commercial, and Consumer Insights, translating consumer needs, brand priorities, and portfolio whitespace into actionable product concepts and development programs.
• Partner with cross functional teams to accelerate high-quality decisions and project delivery.
• Leads and manages R&D communication with key stakeholders, cross-functional partners, and leaders on the overall Productivity agenda
• Develops and communicates key business updates to stakeholders and senior leadership
• Develops robust Performance and Development plans for each direct report to ensure talent development is key priority within High Performance Team culture
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, accountable, and high-performing culture grounded in technical excellence, curiosity, and commitment to results.

• Salary Range: $96,800 - $153,300
• 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), 401k with company match, Tuition Reimbursement, and Mileage Reimbursement
• Annual bonus based on performance and eligibility

• 8+ years of experience in Product Development, Food Manufacturing, R&D, or related function (Food and Beverage experience required)
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience managing, leading, and developing direct reports
• Strong business acumen and ability to connect technical recommendations with consumer, operational, financial, and portfolio implications.
• Strong knowledge of product formulation, experimental design, ingredient functionality, sensory evaluation, product stability, manufacturing processes, and commercialization.
• Proficient concept generation, consumer research, problem solving, and collaboration 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.
• Must have Excellent presentation and communication skills

• Understanding of and experience in managing the inter-dependences and relationships between all aspects of R&D, Marketing, Finance, Commercial, and Supply
• Self-motivated, takes initiative, highly collaborative with strong problem-solving skills
• Positively influence peers and stakeholders
• Change readiness, resiliency and flexibility to thrive in fast moving organization

Keurig Dr Pepper (Nasdaq: KDP) is a leading beverage company with more than 150 owned,…