Senior Manager, Sweetener Application

The Coca-Cola Company; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta seeks a Senior Manager of Sweetener Research and Application to lead design, execution, and interpretation of studies on sweeteners for beverages across multiple platforms.

You will partner with R&D, manufacturing, and procurement to inform reformulation decisions, optimize taste, and scale innovations from bench to production, while mentoring a team of engineers and scientists.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or related field; 7+ years of experience.
• Master’s degree with 4+ years or PhD with 2+ years preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of research in ingredients, food, or beverages.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, execute, and review lab experiments to test ingredients and processes.
• Improve beverage taste quality, sweetness profiles, and overall consumer experience.
• Lead cross-functional projects and coordinate with teams to deliver plans.

Skills

Sweetener expert

Project management

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science or Chemistry

Master's degree preferred

Ph.D. preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Formula/databases

AI-enabled tools

Job description

Senior Manager, Sweetener Research and Application

The Research to Experimentation (RtE) function within TI&SC delivers scalable, business-relevant innovations in ingredients and packaging that help grow, sustain, and protect the business. The Flavor and Ingredients Research & Application (FIRA) team, as part of RtE, develops ingredient and flavor solutions that create compelling, holistic consumer experiences. The ideal candidate will be able to lead research studies from concept development and experimental design through execution, data interpretation, reporting, and recommendation. This role requires strong technical depth, creative bench skills, business acumen, and the ability to collaborate effectively across functions to support product development and reformulation decisions. The candidate will serve as a subject matter expert in sweeteners, including sweetener characteristics, application performance, and the development of great-tasting beverages with optimized sweetness across different matrices. The role also requires foundational knowledge of ingredient interactions, stability, microbiological risk, and process parameters from lab preparation through scale-up and commercialization. In addition, the individual will evaluate new ingredients with taste benefits and help expand the team’s taste toolbox by managing the full project cycle—from research proposal and technical evaluation to reporting, solution recommendation, and next-step planning.

What You’ll Do For Us

Function Related Activities/Key Responsibilities

Research Design & Technical Execution

• Design, develop, execute, and review laboratory, research, and application experiments to generate new learnings, test hypotheses, and evaluate new ingredients, products, processes, and technologies.
• Apply expertise in sweeteners, food science, and research principles to improve beverage taste quality, sweetness profile, stability, and overall consumer experience.
• Apply food science knowledge and internal/external learning on ingredients, packaging, and processing to ensure safe, high-quality products.

Project Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead application research projects by identifying technical gaps and opportunities, defining scope, securing resources, and partnering with cross-functional teams to deliver project plans and outcomes.
• Represent the function in team projects, cross-functional committees, and enterprise initiatives related to product development, process improvement, pilot trial, and commercialization.
• Lead project meetings across categories and functions; coach and guide technicians or junior developers on specific projects and tasks.

Data Interpretation, Insights & Communication

• Interpret analytical, sensory, and consumer data; translate results into clear technical insights and recommendations that influence stakeholders and advance projects.
• Prepare accurate technical reports, presentations, and communications for technical and non-technical audiences across domestic and international teams.
• Gather, organize, and synthesize information within agreed timelines to support senior management decision-making.

Innovation & External Learning

• Leverage scientific literature, supplier partnerships, prior experience, and internal resources to develop innovative solutions aligned with project briefs and business needs.

What You’ll Need

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or a related field required, with 7+ years of relevant experience; Master’s degree with 4+ years or Ph.D. with 2+ years preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of research experience in ingredients, food, or beverages.

Technical Expertise

• Knowledge of key ingredients used in concentrates and beverage bases, including acids, preservatives, colors, sweeteners, and flavors.
• Deep understanding of product development processes, with flexible and creative formulation skills and strong attention to detail.
• Knowledge of carbonated and non-carbonated beverage processing techniques, including syrup preparation, proportioning, carbonation, filling, and scale-up considerations.
• Working knowledge of organic chemistry, including structures, functional groups, reactions, and properties relevant to ingredient and product performance.

Project Management & Collaboration

• Strong project management skills, including the ability to plan, manage, and execute projects or work plans on time and within scope.
• Ability to build credibility and effective technical relationships with internal and external partners, customers, and highly technical audiences.
• Ability to adapt priorities based on business needs and perform effectively during periods of increased workload when required.

Digital, Laboratory & Compliance Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and formula or database systems; ability to leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency and insight generation.
• Knowledge and application of Good Laboratory Practices, including chemical handling, sample preparation, accurate measurement, data management, and housekeeping.
• Ability to recognize, manage, and protect proprietary information related to formulas, ingredients, processes, and technical data.

Communication

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain technical background, concepts, results, recommendations, and project direction clearly to cross-functional stakeholders.

What We Can Do For You

• Purpose-Driven Work: Contribute to a purpose-driven organization focused on protecting the environment, supporting the communities we serve, and delivering safe, high-quality products.
• Global Connections: Develop, strengthen, and maintain global connections that help teams move faster, share knowledge, and learn from others across the organization.
• Community of Belonging: Be part of an organization that supports continuous growth and fosters an environment where people feel safe, empowered, and able to bring their best selves to work.
• Growth Opportunities: Work with talented colleagues on meaningful projects that create business impact and support professional growth.