Job description

Job Overview: 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. POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES 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. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: • 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. Total Rewards: • 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 Requirements: • 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 CAPABILITIES: • 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 Company Overview: Keurig Dr Pepper (Nasdaq: KDP) is a leading beverage company with more than 150 owned, licensed and partner brands that meet a wide range of needs and occasions. Our North American refreshment beverage business holds leadership positions across carbonated soft drinks, water, juice and mixers with a portfolio of iconic brands such as Dr Pepper®, Canada Dry®, Mott’s®, A&W®, Peñafiel®, GHOST®, 7UP®, Snapple®, Clamato® and Core Hydration®. Our global coffee business spans more than 100 markets and includes the leading Keurig® single‑serve brewing system in the U.S. and Canada, along with powerhouse brands such as Peet’s, L’OR and Jacobs, and other regional coffee leaders. Our more than 50,000 employees aim to enhance the experience of every beverage and coffee occasion while making a positive impact for people, communities and the planet. We strive to be an employer of choice, providing a culture and opportunities that empower our team 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. 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? 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. A.I. Disclosure: KDP uses artificial intelligence to assist with initial resume screening and candidate matching. This technology helps us efficiently identify candidates whose qualifications align with our open roles. AI does not make hiring decisions; all decisions throughout the hiring process are made by talent acquisition team members. If you prefer not to have your application processed using artificial intelligence, you may opt out by emailing your resume and qualifications directly to kdpjobs@kdrp.com in lieu of clicking Apply. In order for your application to be considered and opted out of AI, you must include the words 'AI Opt-Out' and either job title and location or Job ID # in the email subject line in your email application.

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Must-haves

Job Title: R&D Product Development Manager, Carbonated Soft Drinks
Location: Frisco, Texas
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.
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.
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
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?

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Benefits

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Dental

Vision

401k

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Wellness