Director, Product Development and Commercialization

Product Development and Commercialization Director

The Product Development and Commercialization Director is a key technical leader responsible for delivering and guiding the development, processing, and market introduction of new products, reformulations, and production technologies for Coca-Cola's Hydration, Sports, Tea, and Coffee Categories in North America. This role leads cross-functional commercialization efforts, bringing together resources in quality, engineering, packaging, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance to ensure successful product launches.

What You'll Do for Us

Act as the technical leader for processing new products, reformulations, and new production technologies. Provide technical leadership throughout the development and commercialization of processes and products. Support product development by informing teams of existing system capabilities and identifying requirements for new product types where capability does not exist. Bring together all technical resources required to fully develop and commercialize a process or product, including but not limited to quality, microbiology, engineering, packaging development, commercialization, and manufacturing. Provide subject matter expertise for all types of product processing.

Lead the commercialization of new processing types, new products, and reformulations of existing products. Function as the technical project leader for all commercialization activities, ensuring successful project completion. Provide technical expertise to marketing, quality, and technical functions, manufacturing facilities, bottlers, contract manufacturers, and other production partners on production and product-related issues. Provide continual technical support for existing product lines. Recommend and decide on production methodologies for new, reformulated products, and emerging technologies. Represent senior management when appropriate.

Develop and design process requirements for existing and new products. Review and assess blending, filling, and process designs. Design, develop, conduct, and / or review experiments (e.g., laboratory or process experiments) to deliver new products; evaluate ingredient, product, or packaging safety, efficacy or claims; or assess new ingredients, materials, products, or processes. Write detailed and accurate reports for analyses, experiments, or projects (e.g., equipment validation, evaluation of new processes).

Act as scientific, regulatory, technical, or quality expert and consultant by responding to targeted questions from other departments / business units and providing support to manufacturing facilities, co-packers, bottlers, and customers. Serve as a resource for general technical information and act as a consultant for other technical personnel in the company.

Capture information, assess it, and make recommendations to company management or the broader system regarding emerging business opportunities, technology capabilities, or scientific breakthroughs to offer solutions to technical problems and / or influence strategic direction. Create internal communication materials (e.g., memos, reports / updates, newsletters, web-based content) to provide information on departmental activities, project progress, issues or concerns, and best practices. Proactively inform leadership about scientific / technical developments (including environmental issues and methodology-related information) of potential interest or concern to enhance business strategies. Determine training needs, develop tools and communication aids, and / or provide training to company, supplier, and manufacturing personnel to ensure the appropriate level of knowledge is transferred to enable effective implementation of quality initiatives. Schedule or attend pre-commercialization test runs to ensure production capability. Transfer technology to deliver a solid business case (e.g., updated documentation, design package, distribution path, intellectual property) for commercialization. Prepare documentation (e.g., project proposal, strategic project brief, project charter, project scope, product specifications) in order to define projects, establish expectations, and gain stakeholder support. Generate, document, and execute a plan to select and / or develop technology (e.g., packaging, tools, processes, equipment, product(s), including managing the change control process, to meet specific project objectives (e.g., improve quality, deliver new products, optimize processes).

Qualifications and Experience

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, or a related field required; Master's or Ph.D. a plus. Requires 10+ years of experience working for a manufacturer, bottler, or ingredient / technology supplier in food, beverage, or related industries. Experience leading cross-functional project teams to facilitate product commercialization, commercialization processes, or resolve product-related issues.

Location and Travel Requirements

Location : Atlanta, Georgia Travel : Averages 50% travel within the U.S. to manufacturing plants and co-packers.

Functional Knowledge

Expert knowledge in process technology and the ability to develop design and operating standards for manufacturing. Expert knowledge of product commercialization processes across multiple product categories. Strong understanding of complex product systems as they relate to production in either carbonated or non-carbonated formats. Knowledge and experience with processing technologies, food hygiene, and microbiology, including the ability to assess product safety risks related to processing. Understanding of manufacturing processes associated with various product types, including beverages, concentrates, syrups, and other processed goods. Familiarity with commercialization systems and the ability to train others on operational tools / platforms. Some background in product development or a deep understanding of the end-to-end commercialization process is strongly preferred.

Skills :

Project Management; Cross-Functional Leadership; Product Commercialization; Process Technologies; Manufacturing Standards; Product Safety; Product Safety Standards; Risk Assessments