Keurig Dr Pepper announces three new supply chain leadership appointments

Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. announced a strategic realignment of its supply chain structure and promoted three KDP senior supply chain leaders into new roles, including naming a new chief supply chain officer to succeed Tony Milikin, who joined KDP in September 2021. Milikin was instrumental in leading KDP through the unprecedented macro supply chain disruption that began in 2021 and positioning the company as it transitions to the new, more focused structure. Milikin will leave KDP at the end of October to pursue new opportunities. 

Roger Johnson, who joined KDP in 2016, has been promoted to chief supply chain officer, reporting to KDP CEO Ozan Dokmecioglu, effective October 17, 2022. Johnson is an experienced supply chain executive and general manager with more than 20 years of experience spanning the consumer durables, electronics, food and beverage and automotive industries. He most recently served as chief product officer, where he was responsible for establishing KDP's operations center in Singapore that diversified KDP's brewer manufacturing network across Asia. He was also the principal architect behind the company's brewer innovation strategy, including KDP's connected brewers and new BrewID technology. Johnson holds an MBA from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and a Master of Engineering and Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Purdue University.

Dokmecioglu stated in the announcement, "We are fortunate to have such a strong supply chain bench, with experienced and talented leaders ready to assume expanded roles. 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. I also want to thank Tony for his supply chain leadership over the past year and wish him all the best."

KDP also promoted two experienced supply chain executives into new and expanded roles, with each focused on driving supply chain excellence and unlocking productivity opportunities for their respective business units. Christopher Martin, who joined KDP in 2014 and most recently served as SVP, logistics operations, has been promoted to SVP, coffee supply chain. 

Paul DaRosa, who joined KDP in 2018 and was most recently serving as SVP, quality, employee health and safety and technical services, has been promoted to SVP, cold beverages supply chain.

Martin and DaRosa will report to Johnson, maintaining a centralized supply chain leadership structure. 

"Chris and Paul are two strong leaders who were instrumental in successfully navigating KDP through the unprecedented challenges of COVID and macro supply chain disruption, and I strongly believe both are poised to drive even greater impact for KDP in these new roles," Dokmecioglu added in the announcement.