Director Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Ph.D. in the field of science and engineering including but not limited to: Chemistry, Biology, Bio chemistry Chemical Engineering, Bio-chemical engineering, Physics, etc.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in industry, minimum 10 years of leading deep technical experts.
• Demonstrated ability to set and drive research agenda, develop research strategies, and build successful R&D pipelines, take innovations from scientific concepts to commercial readiness.
• Proven track record in private / public collaboration, cross-functional, multi-market collaboration with tight timelines.
• Experience influencing senior leadership and shaping organizational strategies.
• Experience in engaging and influence global leading experts (such as Member of National Science Academy, well recognized industry experts etc.)
• Demonstrable leadership skills, with a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and platforms, especially without direct management authority.
• 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.
• Deep expertise in one of the scientific fields such as chemistry, biology, biochemistry, and material science.
• Deep understanding of molecular discovery, ingredient research and development, sensory optimization, and technological integration.
• Knowledge of a regulatory framework for ingredient approval and use globally.
• Industry network and external collaboration experience.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred experience in food & beverage, ingredient suppliers, or pharmaceutical industry.

Responsibilities

• Develop end to end sweetener discovery, validation and development strategy
• Identify and collaborate with world leading experts to advance the sweetener system research
• Identity and updates the skills and competencies of the team and collaborators to leverage the latest external technologies and digital tools for the research and development.
• Build foundation science and knowledge in sweet taste area
• Develop a robust sweetener system pipeline that will enable solutions to address consumer, market and regulatory demands
• Translate research into breakthrough, consumer-centric applications
• Provide thought leadership to the industry, academia and research institutes on sweetness, and sweetener system.
• Provide The Center of Excellence on sweetener system application.
• Shape the future research agenda on sweetener system to meet consumer, customer and regulation needs, drive short-, mid-, and long-term growth and ensure our license to win.
• Provide inspirational thought leadership to guide sweetener system research and application strategy globally.
• Influence industry, academia and research institutes to develop relevant technologies and tools (including AI/ML tools) to further the scientific advances.
• 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.
• Directly lead and develop an organization of approximately nine (9) people, including six (6) direct reports, with full accountability for performance management, capability building, succession planning, and engagement
• Build and sustain a high performing global community of sweetener discovery, research, and application experts
• Allocate resources strategically, manage budgets, and set clear performance expectations.
• Foster a high-impact culture focused on innovation, agility, and continuous learning.
• Serve as a mentor, role model, and advocate for talent development.
• 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.

Benefits

• A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.