Senior Director, Beverage Process Research and Capabilities

Coca-Cola; Georgia; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Coca-Cola is seeking a Sr. Director of Beverage Process Research and Capabilities within the Flavor & Ingredients Research and Application (FIRA) and RtE teams.

This role leads process research across ingredients and flavors, partnering with GDI and TISC to deliver scalable manufacturing technologies from early research to commercial readiness. The position also focuses on strengthening FIRA capabilities, including digital tools and at-risk ingredient research, while shaping strategic agendas to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, or related fields; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years' experience relevant experience.
• Proven ability to influence without authority across research, supply chain, and innovation.
• Deep understanding of beverage systems, ingredient functionality, and process-driven performance outcomes.
• Track record of translating science and research into commercially scalable solutions.
• Strategic thinker with hands-on problem-solving capability and a passion for advancement.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate beverage process technologies in beverage application development of new flavor and ingredients; recommend and select the optimal scalable technology.
• Monitor external process technologies; identify relevant technology to enhance our beverage application and scale with Coca-Cola partners.
• Identify and update the skills and competencies of the team and collaborators to leverage latest technologies and digital tools.
• Build at-risk ingredients research pipeline in collaboration with GDI and other functions.
• Build and strengthen FIRA cross-functional capabilities including digital capability and application, at risk ingredient research and application.
• Implement structured processes for early-stage experimentation through commercial delivery; track milestones and budgets.

Skills

Strategic Thinker

Influence & Business Acumen

Agile Innovator

Inspiring People Leader

Connector

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, or related fields

Advanced degree (PhD, MS, or equivalent experience) in the above field

Job description

Job Description Summary

About the Research Team: The Research to Experimentation (RtE) function in TI&SC delivers scalable and impactful innovations in the areas of ingredients and packaging that grow, sustain, and protect our business. The Flavor and Ingredients Research Application (FIRA) team is part of RtE and creates a compelling consumer holistic experience through flavor & ingredients.

Role Overview

The Sr. Director, Beverage Process Research and Capabilities is a key leadership role within Flavor & Ingredient Research and Application (FIRA) and Research to Experimentation (RtE). This role has two major areas of responsibilities. First area: responsible for leading process research and related beverage applications across different ingredient and flavor teams, to identify and develop new processes in partnership with GDI's process innovation team to ensure that the right process technologies are selected, developed, and applied to deliver robust beverage performance from early research through commercial readiness. Working closely with GDI (Global Development and Innovation), Technical Innovation & Supply Chain (TISC), and process innovation partners, the candidate will bridge science, application, and scalable manufacturing technologies to accelerate impactful innovation. Second area: build and strengthen FIRA cross functional capabilities including digital capability and application, at risk ingredient research and application.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate different beverage process technologies in beverage application development of new flavor and ingredients, especially functional ingredients, recommend and select the optimal and scalable technology in collaboration with GDI Process Innovation Team.
• Monitor new external process technologies, identify relevant technology to enhance our beverage application, especially to deliver functional benefits and taste superiority. Partner with GDI process innovation team to develop or adopt the technology for scale up in the Coca-Cola System.
• Identify and update the skills and competencies of the team and collaborators to leverage the latest external technologies and digital tools for research and development.
• Build at risk ingredients research pipeline in collaboration with GDI and other functions.
• Build and strengthen FIRA cross functional capabilities including digital capability and application, at risk ingredient research and application.

Strategic Leadership & Innovation

• Shape the future research agenda to meet consumer, customer, and regulation needs, drive short-, mid-, and long-term growth and ensure our license to win.
• Provide inspirational thought leadership to inform flavor and ingredient research and application strategy globally.
• Influence industry, academia, and research institutes to develop relevant technologies and tools (including AI/ML tools) to further scientific advances.

Global Collaboration & Stakeholder Influence

• Partner with internal stakeholders across RTE, GDI, other TISC functions (including Scientific & Regulatory Affairs), marketing, and category leadership to align strategy and execution on process research to deliver innovation on market.
• Influence external stakeholders-including suppliers, universities, and technology partners for joint-development.
• Build compelling business cases to secure investment and organizational buy-in.

Operational & Execution Excellence

Implement structured processes for early-stage experimentation through commercial delivery. Maintain clear routines to track milestones, budgets, and success metrics. Communicate progress and achievements to senior leadership across the organization.

Leadership Profile

• Strategic Thinker: Capable of envisioning future possibilities and integrating science, consumer insights, and business priorities.
• Influence & Business Acumen: Ability to shape and implement strategic agendas across the Coca-Cola system, while influencing industry standards. Ability to translate science and technology to business relevant languages and influence non-technical functions.
• Agile Innovator: Comfortable taking calculated risks and pivoting based on market and science-led opportunities.
• Inspiring People Leader: Proven ability to lead, build, and motivate global teams.
• Connector: Strong ability to bring stakeholders together across functions, geographies, and disciplines.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, or related fields. Advanced degree (PhD, MS, or equivalent experience) in the above field is preferred.
• 10+ years' experience relevant experience.
• Proven ability to influence without authority across research, supply chain, and innovation organizations.
• Deep understanding of beverage systems, ingredient functionality, and process-driven performance outcomes.
• Track record of translating science and research into commercially scalable solutions.
• Strategic thinker with hands-on problem-solving capability and a passion for advan