Location(s):

United States of America

City/Cities:

Atlanta

Travel Required:

00% - 25%

Relocation Provided:

Job Posting End Date:

July 31, 2025

Shift:

Job Description Summary:

Manager – Product Development, Global Sparkling Flavors

This role within the Global Development and Innovation (GDI) Center, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is responsible for leading product development initiatives for the Global Sparkling Flavors category, which includes iconic brands such as Sprite, Fanta, and Schweppes. The Manager will drive innovation and business continuity by developing new carbonated beverages and enhancing existing products, alongside ensuring business continuity.

The GDI Center is part of the Technical, Innovation & Supply Chain (TI&SC) organization within The Coca-Cola Company. This role reports to the Director, Product Development – Sparkling Flavors.

What You’ll Do for Us

The Product Development Manager will lead cross-functional projects from concept to commercialization, applying technical expertise in flavor chemistry, sensory evaluation, and analytical science to deliver consumer-preferred beverages. This role requires a balance of creative bench skills, technical rigor, and strategic thinking to support both local and global innovation initiatives.

Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner with cross-functional teams to plan and execute projects that enhance product quality, drive innovation, and support business objectives.

Project Execution: Lead the development and adaptation of beverage formulas, ensuring alignment with quality, timing, and budget targets. Apply a “design to value” and end-to-end approach that integrates sustainability, regulatory, and supply chain considerations.

Innovation and Prototyping: Develop lab-scale prototypes and beverage-based components. Conduct sensory evaluations and attribute testing in accordance with internal guidelines.

Chemical Analysis: Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) on aroma-active compounds. Perform advanced chemical analyses using GC-MS and GC-O to identify and quantify key compounds in beverages and flavor ingredients.

Effective Communication: Translate technical findings into actionable insights. Use data-driven storytelling to align recommendations with strategic business goals.

Risk Awareness: Monitor emerging risks related to ingredient sourcing and product design, including allergens, microbial risks, and sensitivities. Provide guidance on safe and compliant product development.

External Focus and Innovation: Identify and evaluate new technologies, ingredients, and propositions that offer competitive advantages. Co-create the innovation pipeline with internal and external partners.

Digital Savviness: Leverage digital tools and AI to gather market insights, accelerate ideation, and enhance product quality. Use digital prototyping and sustainability software to inform design decisions and risk assessments.

Qualification & Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field with 5–10 years of relevant experience

Master’s degree with 3–7 years of relevant experience

PhD with 0–3 years of relevant experience

Desired Skills and Competencies

Analytical Science: Proficiency in compound isolation and identification using GC-MS, GC-FID, and extraction techniques such as SPME and headspace trapping.

Flavor Chemistry: Understanding of flavor materials and their organoleptic properties.

Product Development: Deep knowledge of the product development lifecycle with strong creative and technical skills.

Project Management: Ability to manage complex projects and deliver results on time and within budget.

Ingredients Expertise: Familiarity with key beverage ingredients such as emulsifiers, acids, preservatives, and natural flavors.

Data Application: Ability to connect sensory and analytical data to influence product decisions and cross-functional teams.

Technical Relationship Building: Strong interpersonal skills to build credibility and collaborate with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

What We Can Do For You

Iconic & Innovative Brands: Work with a portfolio of globally recognized brands like Sprite, Fanta, and Schweppes.

Expansive & Diverse Customers: Collaborate with a wide range of customers and partners across the Coca-Cola System.

Our Purpose and Growth Culture:

We are committed to nurturing an inclusive culture grounded in our purpose—to refresh the world and make a difference. We act with a growth mindset, embrace continuous learning, and value curiosity, empowerment, inclusivity, and agility. Learn more about our culture and how you can bring it to life in your next role at The Coca-Cola Company by visiting Our Purpose and Vision.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

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 Companys sponsorship to continue to work legally in the United States.

Skills:

Chemistry, Communication, Continual Improvement Process, Data Compilation, Environmental Science, Food Safety Management, Food Sciences, Food Technology, Green Solutions, Laboratory Testing, Leadership, Microbiology Laboratory, Product Development, Quality Control (QC), Researching, Sensory Processing, Waterfall Model

Pay Range:

$109,000 - $129,000

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:

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.

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.