Senior Director I, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs – Compliance & Innovation

Coca-Cola•Atlanta, GA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director of Scientific & Regulatory Affairs – Compliance & Innovation enables enterprise-wide growth and innovation by translating evolving food regulations into clear, actionable guidance for commercial, technical, and dedicated innovation teams across the US. This role serves as a strategic leader and subject matter expert on U.S. food and beverage regulations, with deep expertise in FDA regulatory frameworks and the evolving policy landscape affecting beverages. As the team leader, the Senior Director will provide direction, prioritization, and stakeholder alignment while ensuring strong execution on claims dossiers, label compliance, digitalization/automation, and process improvement to enable business continuity, innovation, and growth.

Requirements

15+ years of experience in scientific and regulatory affairs within the food and beverage industry, with significant expertise in U.S. food and beverage regulations.
Deep expertise in FDA food and beverage regulatory frameworks, including food additives, GRAS, nutrition and ingredient labeling, claims substantiation, and compliance requirements applicable to beverages.
Strong understanding of the U.S. regulatory and political landscape affecting beverages, including federal and state policy trends, enforcement priorities, and emerging legislation.
Demonstrated experience managing complex regulatory, scientific, and policy issues affecting beverage products, ingredients, packaging, labeling, and marketing claims.
Ability to communicate complex scientific and regulatory concepts clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to engage, strategize, collaborate, and lead (both internally and externally) food and beverage policy initiatives that have the potential to negatively or positively impact the Company.
Strong understanding of nutrition science, food safety principles, and ingredient functionality, including knowledge of nutrients, sweeteners, food additives, and emerging beverage ingredients.
Demonstrated strategic thinking, risk assessment, and leadership capabilities, with the ability to influence cross-functional and senior leadership teams.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred in Food Science, Nutrition, Toxicology, Regulatory Affairs, Public Health, or related scientific discipline

Responsibilities

Serve as the company’s senior expert on U.S. food and beverage regulations, including FDA and any state requirements related to labeling, claims, standards of identity, and overall compliance.
Lead regulatory strategies to support innovation and commercialization across existing and emerging beverage categories in the U.S. market.
Partner cross-functionally with GDI, Legal, Public Affairs, Quality, and business teams to ensure regulatory compliance and enable speed to market for new products and ingredient technologies.
Evaluate and communicate business impact of U.S. federal and state legislative and regulatory developments affecting beverages, including policies related to low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS), sugar reduction, front-of-pack labeling, functional ingredients, caffeine, environmental health issues, and consumer transparency.
Provide scientific and regulatory thought leadership to support product stewardship, business continuity, and portfolio growth objectives.
Represent the Company in industry trade organizations, scientific forums, and regulatory engagements with agencies such as FDA, USDA, FTC, and relevant state authorities as needed.
Build and maintain relationships with regulators, scientific experts, public health stakeholders, trade associations, and NGOs to advance sound, science-based food and beverage policy.
Advise senior leadership on regulatory risk, policy trends, and strategic opportunities that may impact the beverage industry and company priorities.