Director, Productivity

The Product Development team’s purpose is to lead the innovation and productivity agendas to grow KDP brands, transform beyond its core, and improve the profitability of our products. At KDP, our inspiration is to bring meaningful impact and that starts with our company vision -- Drink Well, Do Good!

This Leadership role within R&D will lead the Productivity & Processing agenda within the Coffee Business Unit, to design and develop products at the right value to positively impact the P&L. The processing scope will set and lead the processing strategy and execution ensuringproduct quality and manufacturing efficiency. 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 role will work closely with R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, Marketing, and Finance leaders. The leader should have strong interpersonal skills to build key cross functional partnerships and relationships to foster a team environment aligned to the overall KDP values and culture.  

The role will report to VP, Coffee Product Development. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Develops the Coffee Productivity & Processing R&D strategy across KDP’s Coffee Portfolio(Owned- Licensed, Partner, and Private Label Coffee and Specialty Beverages) by influencing stakeholders and peers on the strategic vision and road map

• Leads the communication and implementation of the Productivity & Processing R&D strategy, goals, and business plans to drive growth while appropriately allocating resources to balance immediate and long-term objectives 

• Collaborates with R&D, Marketing, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Commercial on the Productivity & Processing pipeline across the KDP portfolio 

• Leads the development of productivity ideas through Design-to-Value, Product Design New Technologies, Supplier partnerships, and external innovation to build out a robust multi-year pipeline

• Leads the development and execution of the Processing multi year pipeline across coffee & powder platforms through exploration of New Technologies, supplier partnerships, and external innovation

• Manages team of Scientists and Engineers and provides technical leadership in the optimization of existing products from bench to pilot scale up, and through full commercialization and scale-upfor the US and Canadian market across all products (R&G coffee, dairy powders, instant and liquid coffee extracts)

• Proactively influences and co-leads Productivity workshops, planning, and the technical and financial assessment of ideas with cross-functional partners 

• Develops and communicates key business updates to stakeholders and senior leadership 

• Ability to create and lead processes to drive efficiency, resolve complexity, and prioritize high performance team behavior

• Inspires, motivates, and develops talent maintaining a forward thinking, agile, and people focused environment

• Manages and aligns functional needs with the overall R&D budget and planning process

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Benefits:

Our people are the heart of our business, which is why 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 Keurig Dr Pepper.

• Minimum bachelor’s degree, graduate degree is a plus. (Food Science or Engineering preferred). 

• 12+ years of experience with a food/beverage company is highly desirable

• 5+ years’ experience managing, leading, and developing direct reports

• Additional experience with green coffee origin, roasting, grinding, and extraction sciences is a plus.

• Experiencein powder processing with specific experience in the food industry (especially in powdered beverages) is a plus

• Proficient in consumer design and value creation is a plus. 

• Extremely strong skills in business acumen, financial analysis, influencing, leading cross-functional teams

• Must have excellent presentation and communication 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.

• 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 influences peers and stakeholders 

• Change readiness, resiliency and flexibility to thrive in fast moving organization

Keurig Dr Pepper (NASDAQ: KDP) is a leading beverage company in North America, with a portfolio of more than 125 owned, licensed and partner 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.