Manager, Innovation Management

Manager, Innovation Management

The Manager, Innovation Management supports the delivery of the US Refreshment Beverage innovation pipeline. This role helps plan, coordinate, and execute cross-functional innovation projects from concept approval through commercialization, working closely with brand, supply, and commercialization partners. The role focuses on establishing critical milestones, coordinating workstreams, and ensuring projects progress on time and within scope. This individual plays a key role in facilitating cross-functional discussions, and escalating risks or issues to support successful innovation launches aligned to brand priorities and system capabilities. The ideal candidate is a collaborative problem solver with a solid understanding of our brands, routes to market, and supply operations, and the ability to influence partners through strong communication, organization, and follow-through.

Key Responsibilities

• Innovation Project Management
• Serve as the single point of accountability for innovation timelines, scope, risks and dependencies
• Coordinate execution across Brand, R&D, Packaging, Design, Supply Chain, Quality, Legal, Finance, Commercial, and Bottling/System partners
• Balance speed-to-market with feasibility, R&D guardrails and supply chain constraints
• Develop and maintain integrated program plans, including milestones, critical paths, resource requirements, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Own multiple innovation programs concurrently, each consisting of interdependent liquid, packaging, brand, supply chain and commercialization workstreams
• Commercialization
• Partner with Commercialization, RGM and Channel Strategy teams to ensure strong retail and channel execution is supported
• Facilitate end-to-end launch readiness planning, timing, and execution sequencing
• Ensure all operational, supply, and execution risks are addressed prior to market launch
• Drive accountability and open communication across teams
• Process & Capability
• Support innovation program management tools, templates, and ways of working.
• Drive consistency, transparency, and rigor across the innovation portfolio.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of innovation delivery speed, process management and effectiveness
• Champion stage-gate processes, ensuring projects meet strategic, financial, and operational criteria

Total Rewards: Salary Range: $96,800 - $155,000 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

• Preferred Experience & Skills
• Experience managing innovation portfolios across multiple brands and categories
• Familiarity with liquid development, packaging engineering, and supply chain operations
• Understanding of WD and DSD Route to Market differences
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment with evolving priorities
• Proven experience leading and influencing cross-functional teams without direct authority
• Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred
• 5-7+ years of experience in brand management, innovation, or product development within a CPG environment
• Demonstrated success leading innovation projects from concept through launch
• Excellent communication and escalation management skills

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, ethnic or national origin, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.