Director Process Research & Beverage Application
Atlanta, GA
Role Overview
The Director, Process Research & Beverage Application is a key leadership role within Flavor & Ingredient Research and Application (FIRA) and Research to Experimentation (RtE). This position is responsible for leading process research and 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.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop beverage applications for sweetener, flavor, and functional innovations.
- Evaluate different beverage process technologies in beverage application development, recommend and select the optimal and scalable technology.
- 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 foundation beverage application knowledge and competencies
- Provide The Center of Excellence on beverage application.
Strategic Leadership & Innovation- Shape the future beverage application research agenda to meet consumer, customer, and regulation needs, drive short-, mid-, and long-term growth and ensure our license to operate.
- 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, R&D, technical functions (including Scientific & Regulatory Affairs), marketing, and category leadership to align strategy and execution on sweetener system application.
- 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.
- 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, Food Science, or related field. Advanced degree (PhD, MS, or equivalent experience) preferred.
- 10+ years' experience in beverage processing, application, and scaleup, with demonstrated leadership across research and applied innovation environments.
- 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 research into commercially scalable solutions.
- Strategic thinker with hands-on problem-solving capability and a passion for advancing technical innovation.
- Deep understanding of system economics, value chains, risk management, and mitigation, coupled with an agile and iterative mindset.
- Proficient in project management principles, with the ability to apply these principles to plan, manage, or execute projects ensuring completion within set timelines and budgets.
- Strong communication skills and the capacity to influence and align with senior-level stakeholders internally within Coca-Cola and externally across the system.
- Knowledgeable of latest AI/ML and molecular discovery technologies and tools
- Strong communication skills with the ability to engage senior leaders, external partners, and technical teams effectively.
- Deep expertise in one of the scientific fields such as food science, chemical engineering, and material science.
- Knowledge of regulatory framework for ingredient approval and use globally.
- Industry network and external collaboration experience.
- Digital fluency
What We'll Do for You- Provide the opportunity to shape next generation beverage process and application capabilities.
- Offer a collaborative, global environment that values scientific excellence and bold innovation.
- Support professional growth through leadership opportunities and exposure to enterprise level impact.
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.
Chemistry, Communication, Continual Improvement Process, Data Compilation, Environmental Science, Food Safety and Sanitation (Inactive), Food Sciences, Food Technology, Green Solutions, Laboratory Testing, Microbiological Test, Product Development, Quality Control (QC), Research and Development Operations (Inactive), Sensory Testing, Waterfall Model
Pay Range:United States of America: 149,000 USD - 173,000 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:Yes
Job Posting End Date:July 20, 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.
Pay Range:United States of America: 0 USD - 0 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.
Long-term Incentive Reference Value Percentage:0 - 20
Long-term Incentive reference value is a market-based competitive value for your role
