Thermal Processing Specialist

Coca-Cola Beverages Singapore, Malaysia & Brunei; Nilai; On-site; MYR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Coca-Cola Beverages Singapore, Malaysia & Brunei site is seeking a Thermal Processing Specialist to provide technical leadership across Pasteurized, Hot Fill, Retort and Carbonated Soft Drink production operations. You will validate processes, resolve issues, and drive manufacturing excellence with Operations, Quality, Engineering and Supply Chain teams.

Key responsibilities include developing processing standards, leading validation activities, supporting new product introductions and

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in food technology, food engineering, process engineering, biotechnology or a related technical discipline.
• At least 5 years of relevant manufacturing experience involving thermal processing technologies.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and implement thermal processing standards and controls.
• Lead validation and verification activities including heat penetration and distribution studies.
• Support new product introductions by assessing thermal requirements.
• Provide technical support for pasteurizers, retorts and hot-fill systems.
• Analyze process performance and drive improvements in energy efficiency and product quality.
• Maintain validation records and support HACCP, audits and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Thermal processing

Heat transfer

Statistical analysis

Root cause analysis

Continuous improvement

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Technology

Bachelor's degree in Food Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology

Bachelor's degree in Process Engineering

Tools

Pasteurization systems

Hot-fill systems

Retort systems

Heat exchangers

Job description

The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers worldwide for over 135 years. Our unrivaled portfolio includes more than 500 sparkling and still brands and more than 3,800 beverage choices, with iconic brands such as Coca-Cola, Sprite, Minute Maid, Schweppes, FuzeTea, Monster, and Fanta.

With over 1,500 employees, Coca-Cola Beverages Singapore, Malaysia & Brunei is a complex and well-developed organization that produces, sells, and distributes the Coca-Cola Company products across the country. Our world-class manufacturing plant in Halal Park, Bandar Enstek in Negeri Sembilan serves as our Halal production hub for Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei.

About The Role

Department: Manufacturing

Reports to: Head of Manufacturing

What You’ll Do

We are looking for a Thermal Processing Specialist to provide technical leadership and governance for all thermal processing systems and processes across the manufacturing site. The role serves as the site's subject matter expert for thermal treatment technologies, ensuring product safety, regulatory compliance, process optimization, and manufacturing excellence across Pasteurized, Hot Fill, Retort, and Carbonated Soft Drink production operations.

As the site’s technical specialist, you will work closely with Operations, Quality, Engineering and Supply Chain teams to validate processes, resolve technical issues and improve manufacturing performance. This is an individual contributor role with responsibility for technical leadership and capability development.

• Develop, maintain and implement thermal processing standards, critical operating parameters and process controls in line with food safety requirements and Coca-Cola quality standards.
• Lead thermal process validation and verification activities, including heat penetration studies, temperature distribution studies and pasteurization, hot-fill and retort validation.
• Support new product introductions by assessing thermal processing requirements and validating manufacturing processes before commercialization.
• Provide technical support and troubleshoot issues involving pasteurizers, retorts, hot-fill systems, heat exchangers and associated packaging integrity.
• Analyze process performance and drive improvements in throughput, product consistency, energy efficiency, water consumption and product loss.
• Investigate thermal process deviations and non-conformances, support product hold and release decisions, and implement corrective actions with relevant teams.
• Maintain accurate validation records and process monitoring data, and support food safety assessments, HACCP reviews and audits.
• Partner with Engineering on equipment selection, commissioning, qualification, reliability improvements and calibration requirements.
• Develop and deliver technical training to strengthen thermal processing knowledge across Production, Quality and Engineering teams.
• Liaise with technical specialists, equipment suppliers, auditors and regulatory stakeholders while promoting safe operating practices.

Technical Requirements

• Sound knowledge of thermal processing principles, heat transfer, food microbiology and commercial sterility.
• Hands‑on experience with pasteurization, hot‑fill and/or retort systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of thermal process validation and verification methodologies; practical exposure to heat penetration and temperature distribution studies is preferred.
• Knowledge of GMP, HACCP and food safety and quality management systems, including FSSC 22000 and ISO 9001.
• Familiarity with applicable Malaysian food regulations; knowledge of Coca‑Cola’s KORE requirements would be an advantage.
• Ability to interpret time–temperature records, pasteurization units, retort charts and process performance data.
• Strong skills in root cause analysis, statistical analysis and continuous improvement.
• Understanding of thermal processing instrumentation, calibration and equipment safety requirements.

What We Are Looking For

• A bachelor’s degree in food technology, Food Engineering, Process Engineering, Biotechnology or a related technical discipline.
• At least 5 years of relevant manufacturing experience involving thermal processing technologies, ideally within the 5–8-year experience range.
• An analytical and practical problem-solver who can translate technical findings into effective operational improvements.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence teams without direct reporting authority.
• The ability to work independently, take ownership of technical matters and collaborate across functions.
• A willingness to share knowledge, coach colleagues and build technical capability.
• Good communication skills in English and Bahasa Melayu.
• A strong commitment to workplace safety, food safety, product quality and continuous learning.

Our Purpose & Growth Behaviour

We are taking deliberate action to nurture an inclusive culture that is grounded in our company purpose, to refresh the world and make a difference. We focus on five key behaviours – curious, empowered, inclusive, agile, and corporate entrepreneurship – and value how we work as much as what we achieve.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class. When we collect your personal information as part of a job application or offer of employment, we do so in accordance with industry standards and best practices and in compliance with applicable privacy laws.