Job Overview: The Director of Strategy and Portfolio Management / Chief of Staff will play a pivotal role in driving strategic initiatives and transformation efforts within the Beverage R&D department. This position will support the Chief R&D Officer in executing the department's strategic vision, enhancing operational efficiency, and fostering innovation and productivity. The role involves coordinating cross-functional teams, managing key projects, and ensuring alignment with the company's overall business objectives. A strong focus will be placed on advancing the use of technology, process improvement or automation, and optimizing internal systems and performance to support delivering the R&D strategy with speed and excellence. Location: Frisco, TX (Hybrid schedule: 3-4 days in the office per week) Key Responsibilities: Strategic Planning and Execution: Lead the strategic planning and alignment process in close partnership and collaboration with the Chief R&D Officer, R&D Leadership Team, and internal cross-functional partners. Build and implement strategic plans to drive innovation and transformation within the R&D department. Align R&D strategies with the company's overall business goals and market trends. Identify emerging trends and opportunities to advance the R&D objectives. Identify and measure key performance indicators for R&D. Operational Efficiency & Transformation: Ensure that processes, systems, and resources are optimized to achieve goals with speed and quality. Identify opportunities for process improvements, standardization, and automationto streamline workflows and enhance productivity and efficiency Lead the implementation or coordination of identified solutions including effective change management strategies to support adoption. Leverage data analytics to inform decision-making and optimize resource allocation. Oversee budget and resource allocation to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. Leadership and Collaboration: In a Chief of Staff capacity, play a pivotal role in fostering collaboration across the function and departments. Act as a trusted advisor to the Chief R&D Officer and the R&D Leadership Team, provide insights and recommendations on strategic initiatives. Foster a collaborative culture within the R&D team and across other departments. Employs measures to drive connectivity and accountability across the R&D LT and R&D function. Technology and Innovation: Lead initiatives to integrate advanced technology, process automation, and AI into R&D processes to drive speed, decision quality. Explore and implement digital tools to enhance product development and innovation. Portfolio and Project Management: Oversee key R&D projects, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with strategic objectives. Coordinate with cross-functional teams to streamline processes and enhance project outcomes. Change Management: Lead change management efforts to ensure successful adoption of new processes and technologies. Communicate transformation goals and progress to stakeholders at all levels. Talent Development: Support the development of talent within the R&D department, focusing on building skills and capabilities for future needs. Promote a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

Requirements: Education and Experience: Bachelors degree in a relevant field (Food Science, Engineering, or Data Science); advanced degree (Masters/MBA or equivalent) preferred. Project management and process improvement certification encouraged such as PMP (Project Management Professional) or Six Sigma. Minimum of 10 years of experience in strategy, transformation, or a related role, with at least 5 years in a leadership position. Key Skills and Qualifications: Proven experience in strategic planning and transformation within a large organization, preferably in R&D or a closely related field. Strong project management skills with a track record of delivering complex projects on time and within budget. Expertise in technology integration and strong digital literacy with a focus on process automation, data analytics software and AI technologies. Knowledge of beverage industry trends, including flavor development, consumer preferences, and regulatory requirements. Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with diverse teams. Analytical mindset with the ability to leverage data for strategic decision-making. Experience in change management and driving organizational transformation. Strong communication skills, capable of articulating complex ideas to various stakeholders.