R&D Product Development Manager
About The Position
The R&D Product Development Manager, Carbonated Soft Drinks, leads the CSD innovation agenda by translating brand and business priorities into actionable technical programs. The role leads the development and commercialization of Keurig Dr Pepper products, guiding product design to meet consumer and customer needs. It combines technical expertise, people leadership, business acumen, and cross-functional influence in a dynamic, fast-paced, collaborative environment. The manager works closely with R&D, Marketing, Procurement, Supply Chain, and ingredient suppliers, and helps advance the company’s innovation and productivity agendas.
Requirements
- At least 8 years of experience in product development, food manufacturing, R&D, or a related function; food and beverage experience is required.
- At least 3 years of 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.
- Proficiency in concept generation, consumer research, problem solving, and collaboration.
- Demonstrated consumer empathy in developing consumer-centric propositions.
- Ability to travel.
- Ability to manage ambiguity and complex problems and create solution paths with sustainable, functional, and technically feasible options.
- Excellent presentation and communication skills.
- Understanding of and experience managing the interdependencies and relationships among R&D, Marketing, Finance, Commercial, and Supply.
- Self-motivated, takes initiative, highly collaborative, and has strong problem-solving skills.
- Ability to positively influence peers and stakeholders.
- Change readiness, resiliency, and flexibility to thrive in a fast-moving organization.
Responsibilities
- Lead, manage, and develop product development scientists, setting clear expectations and 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 product concepts and development programs.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to accelerate high-quality decisions and project delivery.
- Lead and manage R&D communication with key stakeholders, cross-functional partners, and leaders on the Productivity agenda.
- Develop and communicate key business updates to stakeholders and senior leadership.
- Develop performance and development plans for each direct report, prioritizing talent development within a high-performance team culture.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, accountable, and high-performing culture grounded in technical excellence, curiosity, and commitment to results.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Disability coverage
- Paid time off, including paid parental leave, vacation, and sick time
- 401(k) with company match
- Tuition reimbursement
- Mileage reimbursement
- Annual performance-based bonus, subject to eligibility
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
No Education Listed
