Pilot Plant & Laboratory Manager

Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.; Burlington (MA); On-site; USD 76,400 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401k matching

Tuition reimbursement

Mileage reimbursement

Annual bonus

Job summary

Keurig Dr Pepper in Burlington, MA is seeking an R&D Pilot Plant & Lab Manager to oversee lab and pilot plant operations, coordinating with the R&D leadership and staff to ensure smooth daily activities. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, proactive, and skilled at managing multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.

A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field and 1–3 years’ experience in engineering, pilot plant management, or technical project coordination are preferred;

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, or related field.
• 1–3 years of experience in engineering, pilot plant management, lab/plant operations, or technical project coordination.
• Experience in food manufacturing, food safety, GMP and HACCP training.
• Demonstrated coordination of contractors, vendors, or maintenance technicians for infra upgrades/repairs.
• Ability to operate, maintain, disassemble, and clean pilot equipment.

Responsibilities

• Partner with R&D leadership to oversee daily facility needs and activities.
• Serve as on-site liaison for contractors, vendors, and internal teams for infrastructure projects.
• Coordinate facility upgrades/maintenance and pilot/lab equipment maintenance.
• Oversee installation and calibration of lab instruments; generate operating docs and SOPs.
• Maintain pilot plant operation schedules and inventory management.
• Create and maintain Kanban systems for pilot plant and lab supplies.
• Identify risks and escalate to avoid delays or cost impacts.
• Prepare and deliver routine status reports and updates to R&D leadership.
• Establish lab clean-up, organization, and related activities with lab teams.
• Identify, prioritize, and scope future capital needs with R&D teams.
• Establish training for R&D staff on lab/pilot equipment and maintain training records.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

Organization

Independent on-site work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

Microsoft Office

Job description

The R&D Pilot Plant & Lab Manager will serve as the primary point of contact at our Burlington, MA location, overseeing lab and pilot plant operations, and other activities associated with various project execution requirements. This role involves collaborating and coordinating with the R&D leadership team, and staff ensuring smooth, daily operations for lab and pilot plant activities. The ideal candidate is detail oriented, proactive, and skilled at managing multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner closely with R&D leadership to oversee daily facility needs and assist with planned activities.
• Serve as the primary on-site liaison for contractors, vendors, and internal technical teams for infrastructure related projects.
• Coordinate locally with impacted teams during facility upgrade/maintenance activities, and planned maintenance of pilot/lab equipment.
• Oversee on site installation and calibration of laboratory instruments and equipment; compile or generate operating documentation and SOP’s
• Maintain and oversee pilot plant operation schedules, raw material inventory management, and primary packaging inventory.
• Create, implement & maintain kanban pilot plant and laboratory supply systems.
• Support equipment and infrastructure issue identification and resolution, escalating risks as needed to avoid project delays or cost impacts.
• Prepare and deliver routine status reports and technical updates R&D leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Partner with lab teams to establish recurring lab clean-up, organization, and other related activities.
• Partner with R&D teams to identify, prioritize, and scope future capital needs
• Establish training program for R&D staff on lab/pilot equipment; organize training as needed and maintain R&D training records

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.

Total Rewards

• Salary Range: $76,400 - $133,000
• 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

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 1–3 years of experience in engineering, pilot plant management, lab/plant operations, or technical project coordination.
• Experienced in food manufacturing, food safety, with GMP and HACCP training.
• Demonstrated coordination of contractors, vendors, or maintenance technicians for infrastructure upgrades/repairs, and/or pilot & lab equipment maintenance.
• Ability to operate, maintain, disassemble, and clean food processing pilot equipment.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot lab equipment issues.
• Strong communication, organization, and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Able to work independently on-site and make informed decisions with minimal supervision.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of laboratory infrastructure (e.g., HVAC, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, cleanroom or research spaces).
• Familiarity with 5S principles and implementation.

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 anemployer 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.