Senior Director, Manufacturing Strategy and PLM

The Coca-Cola Company; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 176,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta seeks a Senior Director of Manufacturing Strategy and PLM to shape global equipment platforms from concept through deployment. You will define the manufacturing model, select partner types, and drive PLM as the enterprise backbone.

This role demands deep expertise in manufacturing governance, supplier qualification, and change management, with a track record of enterprise-scale digital transformations and NPI readiness across multiple plants and regions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, operations, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years in equipment manufacturing strategy, NPI, PLM governance and global supply chain leadership.
• Experience defining OEM/JDM/contract manufacturing models for regulated industries.
• Proven ability to lead global supplier qualification, audits and governance programs.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead global manufacturing strategy for equipment platforms and partner models.
• Set world-class manufacturing standards with quality, safety and process control emphasis.
• Own manufacturing readiness for NPI from concept to deployment across units and bottlers.
• Govern supplier performance programs including audits, qualification, and corrective actions.
• Oversee facility authorization and global audit processes to safeguard quality and continuity.
• Establish PLM strategy as the enterprise digital backbone with governance and traceability.

Skills

Change Management

Continual Improvement

GMP

ISO 14001

Lean Manufacturing

Lean Six Sigma

Microsoft Office

Production Management

Quality Control

SOP

PLM integration

CAD/PLM tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Manufacturing/Operations or related field

Tools

Windchill

Creo

CAD integration

PLM systems

Job description

Job Description Summary:

At The Coca‑Cola Company, the ability to transform innovation into scalable, market-ready solutions depends on a world-class manufacturing ecosystem supported by disciplined governance and lifecycle management. The Senior Director, Manufacturing Strategy and PLM drives this transformation for our Global Equipment Platforms (GEP), shaping the standards, processes, and partner strategies that enable breakthrough equipment platforms to move confidently from concept through commercialization and into global deployment.

In this role, you will define Coca-Cola’s manufacturing business model for new technology, determine when and how to leverage OEM, JDM, and contract manufacturing partners, and oversee qualification programs that uphold rigorous quality and compliance standards. Additionally, you will ensure Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) becomes the backbone for operational excellence—digitizing requirements, optimizing change‑control workflows, and maintaining data integrity throughout the lifecycle. This leadership position combines strategic business judgment with deep technical expertise across industrialization, PLM architecture, CAD integration, supplier governance, and new product introduction execution.

If you thrive in a role where manufacturing strategy meets enterprise digital innovation and enjoy building global capabilities that accelerate speed‑to‑market while managing risk, this opportunity puts you at the center of Coca-Cola’s next‑generation equipment platforms and system‑wide transformation.

What You’ll Do for Us

• Define and lead global manufacturing strategy for equipment platforms, choosing optimal partner models (OEM, JDM, contract manufacturing, co-development) based on technology roadmap, scalability, cost, and IP strategy.
• Set and enforce world‑class manufacturing standards that ensure suppliers meet Coca‑Cola expectations for quality, performance, safety, and process control rather than lowering standards forfit.
• Own execution of manufacturing readiness for new product introductions (NPI), from concept validation through scalability and deployment across multiple operating units and bottlers.
• Govern supplier performance programs encompassing segmentation, qualification, certification, audits, capability development, and corrective actions to drive continuous improvement.
• Oversee facility authorization and global audit processes to safeguard quality, compliance, and business continuity across manufacturing partners.
• Establish PLM strategy as the enterprise digital backbone, embedding lifecycle traceability, requirements adherence, engineering‑change management, revision control, and automated governance into day‑to‑day processes.
• Ensure CAD and PLM integration supports modular architecture, design‑for‑manufacturing, product configuration control, and collaborative workflows across global stakeholders.
• Build technical interfaces between engineering, procurement, regulatory teams, quality, and manufacturing partners to enable structured design‑to‑scale execution.
• Drive modernization initiatives for PLM platforms, enabling SaaS transition, scalability, and closed‑loop feedback from field performance into product development decisions.
• Develop manufacturing capability roadmaps for strategic suppliers and lead gap‑closing interventions that bring partners up to Coca‑Cola’s standards for advanced innovation.
• Lead, develop, and coach a high‑performance team overseeing PLM, CADD/PLM integration, JDM/OEM governance, supply chain manufacturing control, and design‑to‑manufacturing workflows.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Supply Chain, or related technical field; advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in equipment manufacturing strategy, new product industrialization, PLM governance, supplier quality, and global supply chain leadership.
• Expertise in manufacturing business model selection (OEM, JDM, contract manufacturing) combined with experience defining standards for regulated or high‑precision industries such as foodservice equipment, appliances, automotive, or aerospace.
• Proven success in global supplier qualification, audits, compliance governance, and capability‑building programs to mitigate risk and elevate manufacturing performance.
• Deep knowledge of PLM as a business capability, including mastery of engineering change workflows, product structure management, CAD integration, configuration control, and lifecycle traceability; Windchill and Creo experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead NPI execution programs, leveraging design‑for‑manufacturing standards and structured process validation methods for enterprise‑scale readiness.
• Strong leadership profile with the ability to influence across a global network of OEM/JDM partners, suppliers, operating units, and matrixed stakeholders in engineering, procurement, and quality domains.
• Experience managing enterprise‑scale PLM modernizations, SaaS transitions, and global data governance systems in compliance‑driven sectors.
• Exceptional business judgment, problem‑solving, and communication skills paired with technical depth and executive presence.
• Skilled in driving change‑management initiatives that align global teams and suppliers to standardized methods and digital operating models.

What We’ll Do for You

• Provide a senior leadership platform to shape Coca‑Cola’s manufacturing and PLM roadmap that governs next‑generation equipment deployment globally.
• Enable influence on enterprise‑scale decisions that accelerate innovation, improve readiness, and ensure supplier capability meets world‑class standards.
• Offer exposure to OEM/JDM governance, PLM digital transformation, and modernization initiatives that define Coca‑Cola’s manufacturing future.
• Support growth as a strategic leader building integrated capabilities that connect lifecycle governance, operational discipline, and digital innovation.

The Coca‑Cola Company will not offer sponsorship for employment status (including, but not limited to, H1‑B visa status and other employment‑based nonimmigrant visas) for this position. Accordingly, all applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis and must not require The Coca‑Cola Company’s sponsorship to continue to work legally in the United States.

Skills:

Change Management, Continual Improvement Process, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), ISO 14001, Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma (LSS), Microsoft Office, Production Management, Production Processes, Quality Control (QC), Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Waterfall Model

Pay Range:

United States: 176,000 - 205,000 USD

Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.

Annual Incentive Reference Value Percentage:

30

Annual Incentive reference value is a market‑based competitive value for your role. It falls in the middle of the range for your role, indicating performance at target.

Location(s):

United States of America

City/Cities:

Atlanta

Travel Required:

00% - 25%

Relocation Provided:

No

Job Posting End Date:

October 30, 2026

Our Purpose and Growth Culture:

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 act with a growth mindset, take an expansive approach to what’s possible and believe in continuous learning to improve our business and ourselves. We focus on four key behaviors – curious, empowered, inclusive and agile – and value how we work as much as what we achieve. We believe that our culture is one of the reasons our company continues to thrive after 130+ years. Visit Our Purpose and Vision to learn more about these behaviors and how you can bring them to life in your next role at Coca‑Cola.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, 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.