Director, R&D

Job Title: R&D Technical Leader – Future Coffee SystemsAbout the Role

At Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP), our mission is simple yet powerful: Drink Well. Do Good. Our Research & Development (R&D) team fuels innovation and drives productivity to grow our brands, reshape our portfolio, and enhance product profitability.

We are seeking a visionary R&D Technical Leader to drive the technical agenda for Future Coffee Systems, with a focus on designing, developing, scaling, and validating innovative consumer-focused beverages and packaging—notably K-Rounds—within our Coffee Business Unit.

This role blends strategic thinking with hands-on leadership in a highly dynamic, collaborative, and fast-paced environment, working cross-functionally with the Appliance Organization, Marketing, Commercial, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Finance. The ideal candidate is a natural collaborator with strong interpersonal skills, ready to embody and advance KDP’s values and culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary R&D team including product developers, ingredient scientists, process & packaging engineers, and sensory experts
• Drive the strategy and execution for developing and scaling K-Rounds products and packaging, collaborating closely with the Appliance, Commercial, and Marketing teams
• Provide expert guidance across product formulation, process development, and packaging innovation—advancing products from bench to pilot scale and full commercialization for U.S. and Canadian markets
• Partner with Appliance and Supply Chain teams to deliver profitable and technically sound medium- to long-term optimization strategies
• Mentor, empower, and grow a high-performing team of scientists and engineers; support their decisions while influencing key internal stakeholders
• Recruit and develop talent aligned to near-term goals and future innovation pipelines
• Lead technical assessments, workshops, and strategic planning sessions with cross-functional teams; advocate for sound financial and technical evaluation of new ideas
• Oversee third-party partnerships and intellectual property strategy while providing thought leadership to shape technology direction
• Strong partnership with commercial and the cross functional team in delivering a sound overall P&L
• Communicate critical business updates and R&D developments to executive stakeholders
• Champion process improvements, promote high-impact team behaviors, and resolve complexities with agile thinking
• Inspire a forward-looking, resilient, and people-focused team environment

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field (Advanced degree preferred)
• 12+ years’ experience in R&D, product development, food manufacturing, or R&D engineering (Food & Beverage sector required)
• 5+ years leading and developing direct reports
• Experience with coffee, powders, or granulation processes is a plus
• Strong business acumen, leadership, and influencing skills across cross-functional teams
• Proven expertise in concept generation, consumer insights, problem-solving, and collaborative development
• Deep consumer empathy and a passion for crafting meaningful product experiences
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed

Capabilities

• Ability to navigate ambiguity and solve complex challenges with functional, sustainable solutions
• Outstanding presentation and communication skills
• Strong understanding of R&D interdependencies across Marketing, Finance, Commercial, and Supply functions
• Collaborative, proactive, and solution-oriented team contributor
• Ability to positively influence colleagues and key stakeholders
• Comfortable with change, resilient under pressure, and energized by fast-moving environments

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.