Senior Scientist, Ingredient Quality & Analytical Science

Coca-Cola; Georgia; On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Coca-Cola is seeking a Senior Scientist in the Ingredient Quality & Analytical Science group in Atlanta, GA. This hands-on expert will lead investigations, define analytical strategies, and translate complex data into actionable quality improvements across beverage ingredients.

The role requires advanced analytical chemistry capabilities, strong communication, and the ability to influence without formal supervision.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in chemistry or biochemistry with 10+ years of industry experience or a Master’s with 5+ years.
• Hands-on experience operating, maintaining, and interpreting data from chromatography and mass spectrometry platforms (LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, HRMS).
• Masters or PhD preferred for advanced roles.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute targeted/non-targeted studies of food, flavor, and beverage ingredients.
• Confirm compound identities using accurate mass, isotope patterns, and MS/MS spectra.
• Lead investigations and cross-functional projects; mentor scientists across the lab network.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

Data analytics

Scientific communication

Education

Bachelor’s in chemistry/biochemistry + 10+ years

Master’s + 5+ years

PhD preferred

Tools

GC-MS/MS

LC-MS/MS

HRMS

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Ingredient Quality Department protects ingredient quality and integrity across our beverage portfolio. We are seeking a Senior Scientist, Ingredient Quality & Analytical Science with advanced analytical chemistry expertise and the judgment and influence to resolve complex ingredient-quality challenges.

This hands-on subject matter expert and individual contributor brings expertise in GC- and LC-HRMS, method development and validation, chemical profiling, unknown identification, contaminant analysis, authenticity testing, and raw material characterization. They apply data analytics to turn complex analytical results into actionable insights that support product quality and business decisions.

You will define analytical strategies, lead investigations and cross-functional projects, interpret complex data, strengthen laboratory capability, and translate evidence into actionable recommendations. Success requires scientific rigor, concise communication, and influence without formal supervisory authority.

This on-site Atlanta, Georgia role follows standard business hours, Monday through Friday, with occasional early-morning, evening, or weekend work as business needs require.

What You'll Do

After onboarding and required training, you will work independently at trainer-level proficiency to:

• Serve as a senior SME in HRMS, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, LC-QTOF, chromatographic separations, mass spectral interpretation, and related technologies.
• Direct complex investigations of atypical or out-of-specification results, contamination, authenticity concerns, supplier variability, degradation, and unexplained chemical or sensory differences.
• Mentor and coach scientists and laboratory colleagues across the laboratory network.

What We Can Do for You

• Technical Excellence: Expand your expertise with state-of-the-art technology, an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory, mature quality systems, and industry leaders in flavor quality-control methodology at a globally recognized organization.
• Industry Expertise: Deepen your ingredient-quality expertise, including flavors and their food and beverage applications.
• Career Development: Partner with manufacturing, flavor R&D, and global functions to build your career within a global beverage company.
• Benefits: Competitive benefits begin on your first day of employment.

Key Responsibilities

Analytical Science and Methods

• Design and execute targeted and non-targeted studies of food, flavor, and beverage ingredients to characterize volatile and non-volatile components, chemical fingerprints, quality, variability, impurities, degradation products, contaminants, and potential adulterants; identify and quantify known and unknown compounds.
• Confirm compound identities using accurate mass, isotope patterns, fragmentation behavior, MS/MS spectra, reference standards, and spectral libraries; optimize sample preparation and troubleshoot methods, instruments, and matrix effects.
• Develop, optimize, validate, verify, transfer, and implement fit-for-purpose LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, HRMS, and complementary methods; evaluate performance and author protocols, reports, SOPs, and technical documentation.

Ingredient Quality and Laboratory Excellence

• Lead ingredient assessments and investigations that support supplier qualification, specification setting, release decisions, root-cause analysis, risk mitigation, alternative sourcing, and supply continuity.
• Integrate analytical findings with historical profiles, supplier and manufacturing data, regulatory requirements, and scientific literature to deliver defensible recommendations.
• Champion GLP, ISO/IEC 17025, the Quality Management System, data integrity, audit readiness, CAPA, laboratory safety, and confidentiality, ensuring all records and reports are scientifically sound.
• Lead laboratory capability development, technology evaluation, and instrument lifecycle management; improve throughput, reproducibility, data quality, and efficiency through automation, digital workflows, and continuous improvement.

Digital, Leadership and Communication

• Use data analytics, visualization, and digital tools to communicate complex results, uncertainty, quality risk, and data gaps as clear scientific conclusions and business recommendations.
• Lead cross-functional projects and partner with manufacturing, R&D, procurement, regulatory, and supplier teams to resolve ingredient-quality issues.
• Present findings, risks, and recommendations concisely to stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership.

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What We’re Looking For

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s in chemistry, or biochemistry, or a related field with 10+ years of industry experience, or a master's with 5+ years. Extensive advanced analytical lab experience required; masters or Ph.D. preferred.

Extensive hands-on experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and interpreting data from chromatography and mass spectrometry platforms (LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, and/or HRMS).

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