Senior Manager - R&D, Beverage Flavour & Concentrate Development

The KDP Ireland Beverage Flavour & Concentrate Development Senior Manager leads the research, development, and innovation of beverage flavors and concentrates, driving the creation of high-quality, consumer-preferred products in key markets. This role oversees the flavor creation & development, concentrate design & development, and optimization processes to ensure products meet market trends, regulatory requirements, and company standards. The Senior Manager will collaborate closely with KDP Global R&D, regulatory scientific affairs, procurement, production, quality assurance, and supply chain to bring innovative beverage solutions from concept to commercialization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, development, and improvement of beverage flavors and concentrate formulations that align with company brand strategy and consumer preferences.
• Manage a team of flavorists, chemists, and technologists focused on Flavor and Beverage concentrate innovation.
• Partner with KDP Beverage Product & Packaging Development identifying Innovation, Renovation and Productivity opportunities.
• Oversee flavor & concentrate development projects, from ideation and formulation through testing, scale-up, and commercial launch.
• Act as a technical expert and leader, providing guidance on flavor chemistry, sensory evaluation, and concentrate processing and technologies.
• Lead strategic partnerships with external flavor houses, ingredient suppliers, and technical vendors to leverage innovation and optimize supply chain.
• Support troubleshooting and problem-solving efforts related to flavor & concentrate quality and production issues.
• Manage strong relationships with KDP Beverage Product & Packaging Development, and other R&D Functions in US, external regulatory bodies, technology vendors, and service providers.
• Manage R&D budgets, project timelines, and resource allocation effectively

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline. Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 8+ years of experience in beverage R&D with a strong focus on flavor and concentrate development.
• Deep knowledge of flavor chemistry, beverage formulation, and concentrate manufacturing processes.
• Proven leadership experience managing R&D teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements relevant to beverage flavors and ingredients.
• Experience working with sensory analysis and consumer testing methodologies.
• Innovative mindset with a passion for developing unique, market-driven beverage solutions.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required

Preferred Skills:

• Project management skills.
• Experience in natural and clean-label flavor development
• Familiarity with beverage manufacturing technologies and quality systems
• Experience in cross-functional collaboration in multi-national matrixed organization
• Proficiency in data analysis and formulation software is a plus.

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.