Senior Director, Sweetener Research, Validation and Application

Role Overview 

The Senior Director II, Sweetener Research, Development and Application is a pivotal leader in the Flavor & Ingredient Research and Application (FIRA) organization and a key member of the Research to Experimentation (RtE) Leadership Team. This role will set the research agenda for end to end sweetener discovery, validation and development, and work with and across our system to development sweetener system application to deliver superior taste to drive the growth and ensure our license to win.  

Key Responsibilities 

You will lead a high-performing talented team of scientists to: 

• 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.  

You will collaborate globally across Technical Innovation & Supply Chain (TISC), Human and Consumer Insights, Global Categories, and regional R&D centers to shape Coca-Cola’s sweetener research strategy, influence industry direction, and forge partnerships with universities, suppliers, and technology leaders. 

Strategic Leadership & Innovation 

• 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. 

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. 

People Leadership 

• 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. 

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. 

Qualifications & Experience 

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

Technical Competencies 

• 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. 

What We Offer 

• Purpose-Driven Work: Help shape products that deliver both pleasure and functional benefits to consumers worldwide. 

• Global Connections: Work at the center of a worldwide network of innovation and technology leaders. 

• Culture of Belonging: Join an organization where diverse perspectives are valued and innovation thrives. 

• Impact: Directly shape the functional ingredient platform that will define the next generation of Coca-Cola beverages.