Senior Manager, Ingredients Advocacy

The Senior Manager, Ingredients Advocacy, will drive and coordinate the company’s strategic advocacy efforts regarding ingredients used in Coca-Cola products. The role is accountable for building strong relationships with government, industry associations (both local and international), academia, and other stakeholders to foster a favorable environment for Coca-Cola. The Senior Manager will identify and manage emerging threats to ingredients - including regulatory and reputational risks - and leverage policy developments to safeguard the company’s reputation and interests. 

This role requires strategic vision in managing complex and evolving ingredient-related threats, including but not limited to issues such as Sugar Sweetened Beverage tax (SSB tax), Low and No Carolie Sweetener (LNCS), and Ultra Processed Food (UPF). The Senior Manager will ensure the company’s positions are understood and respected among stakeholders, and will drive initiatives that safeguard ingredient choices, avoid discriminatory tax policy, and help shape the policy environment for sustainable growth of Coca-Cola business.  

Key Responsibilities: 

• Develop and execute advocacy strategies on ingredient‑related topics by integrating perspectives from external stakeholders, such as industry associations and experts, and internal stakeholders, including subject‑matter experts at global headquarters and relevant local functions. 

• Address specific issues such as SSB tax, LNCS, and UPF, which are receiving growing regulatory attention both globally and in Japan. This includes monitoring trends and debates related to UPF, assessing policy and reputational risks, and leading initiatives that promote science-based discussions among relevant industry associations and government stakeholders. The role’s core responsibilities also include leading advocacy efforts with the Japanese government to influence policy direction and official positions on relevant issues. 

• Monitor the external environment to identify and respond to emerging issues that may pose threats to ingredients, including regulatory changes, shifts among opinion leaders, and public health debates. 

• Build and maintain effective relationships with government officials, industry groups, bottlers, academia, and other stakeholders to support the company's ingredient strategies and mitigate potential threats. Serve as the company’s primary point of contact for ingredient-related issues, proactively addressing concerns and managing relationships. 

• Lead briefings, meetings, and communication initiatives to inform key audiences on ingredient matters. 

Core Competencies: 

• Extensive experience in public affairs, advocacy, or regulatory strategy, with a strong understanding of government and regulatory processes, preferably related to ingredients in the food, beverage, or FMCG sectors. 

• Demonstrated ability and strategic judgement to lead and manage advocacy campaigns. 

• Collaboration and relationship-building skills—the ability to work across functions and stakeholder groups. 

Education & Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in public policy or a relevant field to the role. 

• 10+ years of experience in public affairs, government relations, regulatory advocacy, or related fields, ideally with familiarity with ingredient-related topics. 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, both in Japanese and English. Native level Japanese proficiency strongly preferred.