Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) is recalibrating its supply chain management strategy with the promotion of Roger Johnson as its new chief supply chain officer.
In his new role, Johnson will be charged with executing a “realignment of [KDP’s] supply chain structure, designed to strengthen focus, speed and accountability at the Business Unit level, while accelerating productivity across the enterprise,” according to a press release.
“I am honored and excited to assume this important role for our Company and look to the future with great optimism that our best years are still ahead of us,” stated Johnson.
He will take over the title of chief supply chain officer from former Anheuser-Busch InBev procurement officer Tony Milikin, who joined KDP in August 2021 and will leave at the end of this month. The company credited Milikin as “instrumental” in leading KDP through the supply chain disruption that began in 2021 and positioning it for success as it “transitions to the new, more focused structure.”
Johnson has worked in various roles at KDP since joining the company in 2016, most recently serving as chief product officer for the past year. The company cited his work diversifying KDP’s brewer manufacturing network in Asia by establishing an operations center in Singapore, and called him the “principal architect” behind the success of Keurig’s connected brewers and BrewID technology, among other achievements.
“We are fortunate to have such a strong supply chain bench, with experienced and talented leaders ready to assume expanded roles,” said CEO Ozan Dokmecioglu in a press release. “I have worked with Roger for almost seven years, and I am confident that his strong leadership and deep experience in global supply chains will position him well, as we strengthen our focus on growth and operational excellence.
He added: “I also want to thank Tony for his supply chain leadership over the past year and wish him all the best.”
Johnson will be joined by two other experienced supply chain specialists from within KDP. Christopher Martin, SVP, Logistics Operations, is now SVP, Coffee Supply Chain, while Paul DaRosa, has been promoted to SVP, Cold Beverages Supply Chain. Both will report to Johnson.
KDP has struggled at times to keep up with demand for its Keurig coffee pods. The company brought a new CSD concentrate manufacturing facility in Ireland online last year.
In the company’s Q2 earnings report, former CEO Bob Gamgort acknowledged the company had struggled with supply chain challenges and out-of-stocks for its coffee systems and pods, adding that non-carbonated brands like CORE Hydration and Snapple were “held back” by disruptions, despite still growing.
“We successfully recovered from supply chain disruptions in coffee and non-carbonated beverages, implemented additional pricing to offset inflation, and continued to accelerate growth across our broad portfolio, leading to another quarter of strong market share performance,” Gamgort said in a statement released with the company’s Q2 earnings results. “We remain confident that our ‘all-weather’ business model will enable us to deliver in the ongoing volatile macro environment.”