Frisco, Texas-based Keurig Dr Pepper has announced the appointment of Karin Rotem-Wildeman to the position of chief research and development officer, effective Jan. 9, reporting to Bob Gamgort, chairman and CEO.
In this role, Rotem-Wildeman will lead product development, packaging innovation, flavor technology and associated research and development capabilities. She succeeds David Thomas, who is retiring from KDP after 16 years with the company.
Rotem-Wildeman joins KDP with 25 years of leadership experience driving product innovation and commercialization for leading global food and beverage companies, as well as industry-disruptive start-ups. She was most recently chief scientific officer at the LiveKindley Collective, a plant-based startup with a portfolio of brands and new products.
Prior to that role, Rotem-Wildeman was global head of research and development at GODIVA Chocolatier. Before joining GODIVA, she had spent 18 years with PepsiCo in global research and development leadership roles across beverages and food, with her last as SVP of beverage regional research and development.
During her time at the company, she led innovation into emerging white spaces, as well as renovation in core categories and oversaw work in process development, strategy and portfolio management and venture capital investment.
“Karin is an accomplished R&D leader and CPG executive with a proven track record in concept-to-shelf innovation across multiple product categories,” Gamgort said. “I look forward to working with her as we continue to deliver against our vision to meet every beverage need.”
Keurig Dr Pepper is a North American beverage company, with annual revenue approaching $13 billion and about 27,000 employees. The company’s portfolio of more than 125 owned, licensed and partner brands includes Keurig, Dr Pepper, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Canada Dry, Snapple, Bai, Mott’s, CORE and The Original Donut Shop.
For more information, visit keurigdrpepper.com.
