Senior Manager, Sweetener Application

Coca-Cola HBC; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta is seeking a Senior Manager, Sweetener Research and Application to lead design, execution, and interpretation of lab-based studies on sweeteners and ingredients for beverages.

You will guide cross-functional teams, applying chemistry and food science to improve taste, sweetness, stability, and consumer experience, and support product development and reformulation decisions. Strong leadership and project management are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or a related field; 7+ years relevant experience; Master’s 4+ years or Ph.D. 2+ years preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of research experience in ingredients, food, or beverages.
• Deep knowledge of ingredients used in concentrates and beverage bases.
• Strong formulation skills and attention to detail.
• Experience with beverage processing techniques and scale-up considerations.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, execute, and review experiments to test hypotheses and evaluate ingredients, products, and technologies.
• Improve beverage taste quality, sweetness profile, stability, and consumer experience.
• Lead application research projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver plans.
• Represent function in projects and enterprise initiatives related to product development, process improvement, and commercialization.
• Coach technicians and guide junior developers on projects.

Skills

Chemistry

Communication

Data Compilation

Food Safety Management

Food Sciences

Food Technology

Green Solutions

Laboratory Testing

Leadership

Microbiology

Product Development

Quality Control

Researching

Sensory Testing

Waterfall Model

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science/ Chemistry

Master’s degree preferred

Ph.D. with 2+ years preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Formulas/Database systems

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

• 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

• 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.

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: Chemistry, Communication, Data Compilation, Food Safety Management, Food Sciences, Food Technology, Green Solutions, Laboratory Testing, Leadership, Microbiology, Product Development, Quality Control (QC), Researching, Sensory Testing, Waterfall Model

Pay Range: United States: 131,000 - 153,000 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: 15 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: Yes Job Posting End Date: September 25, 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.

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The Coca‑Cola Company is a global community of passionate employees who are refreshing the world and making a difference every day. Innovation has been at the heart of our story since 1886. It goes beyond new flavors and brands. Learn more about our system and how we’re making an impact. As a global organization, we seek opportunities to embrace and champion progress. Our careers span across functions and are globally connected to give you an unmatched career experience. We’re glad you’ve chosen to explore your next career opportunity with The Coca‑Cola Company. Learn more about our hiring process and pick up tips on how to showcase your experience and skills so you can stand out and thrive.

The Coca‑Cola global business system is composed of The Coca‑Cola Company (TCCC), its subsidiaries and 225 bottling partners around the world.

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