Job Information
The Coca-Cola Company Product Development Scientist in Atlanta, Georgia
The Scientist position is a product development role that will be a part of The Sparkling Flavors Innovation team. Sparkling products is our history, and flavors are our future. Our approach to business is to start with facts, based in science and our passion is to work towards a better shared future to make a difference in people's lives, communities, and our planet. Our scientists help support that future and we're looking for an individual that will support the execution of new product development initiatives designed to create robust pipeline of sparkling beverage innovations to meet the short and the long-term priorities of the sparkling flavors portfolio.
This role will be responsible for conducting fundamental or applied research to improve or generate new products, components, equipment etc., and conduct research projects according to established scientific methods and newly devised methods. Additional responsibilities in support of the team also include maintenance and troubleshooting lab equipment. The ideal candidate will have prior experience in a similar role and be eager to be part of the largest beverage company in the world.
What You'll Do for Us
Development of lab scale prototypes, producing pilot plans for both beverage-based parts and final products. Prepares beverages and conducts analytical tests on taste and/or odor according to sensory guidelines, including qualifying taste panelists.
Designs, produces, and evaluates/assesses, through lab testing, a product prototype/sample against technical requirements, fit to concept or performance specifications.
Provides expertise and recommendations of best practices for production of beverage-based part or finished products during production trials with the plants or bottling partners, which includes consulting line managers as appropriate on milestones and general guidelines and proactively provides advice inside & outside R&D community.
Performs chemical analyses using instrumental methods to determine the composition of samples and prepares samples and sampling plan for ingredients, intermediate or finished products, or other materials to perform analyses.
Designs, develops, conducts and/or reviews experiments to deliver new products and evaluates ingredient, product or packaging safety, efficacy, or claims; or evaluate new ingredients, materials, products, or processes.
Writes detailed & accurate reports for analyses, experiments, or projects. Gathers and organizes information under tight timelines to support senior management's decision-making.
Participates in team projects, interdepartmental/divisional committees, or company-wide initiatives to share information, represent the department/division perspective, or assist with product development, process modification, package development and marketing.
Works on product development projects assigned by line manager from idea generation to formula finalization through close discussion and alignment with Technical and Marketing team and all other stakeholders.
Leverages prior education, suppliers, and literature to innovate within scope of briefs provided by other technical experts or supervisor.
Applies food science knowledge of ingredients, packaging, processing to assure safe and high-quality products.
Participates in commercialization scale test at manufacturing line with QA and commercialization team if needed.
Leads project meetings within the category, cross-functionally with marketing, customer management or technical groups. Manages, coaches, and trains students, technicians, or junior developers on specific project/tasks.
Use creative expertise to develop innovative, margin accretive, and consumer preferred beverage products for TCCC to feed long term innovation pipeline as well as business continuity initiatives.
What You'll Need
Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry or related field is required, Master's degree is preferred
Must possess 2-3 years successful experience in product development.
Basic knowledge of the organic chemistry of essential oils and other flavor compounds that is relevant to Company products along with the basic knowledge and ability to apply flavor manufacturing and the processes used such as distillation, extraction, and blending are needed.
Must possess knowledge of key ingredients used in production of flavors, concentrates and beverage bases.
Must have moderate knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Ability to apply technical knowledge and establish credibility through written reports and verbal presentations with highly technical audiences to build technical relationships that will benefit customers, or the Company is needed.
Must possess the ability to recognize and protect proprietary information as it relates to formulas and ingredients.
Knowledge of project management principles and the ability to apply the principles, tools, and techniques to develop/plan, manage or execute projects or work plans to ensure successful completion is ideal.
Key Functional Skills
Product Development: Knowledge of the product development process with a preference for prior beverage experience. Must be flexible to adapt to sudden change in project scope. Demonstrated use of creativity in development skills with a strong attention to detail.
Flavor Chemistry: Basic knowledge of the organic chemistry of essential oils and other flavor compounds that are relevant to the beverage industry and Company products.
Beverage Manufacturing: Knowledge of and ability to apply carbonated and non-carbonated beverage processing techniques (e.g., proportioning, carbonating, syrup manufacturing, filling, hot fill, aseptic, retort, pasteurization).
Ingredients: Knowledge of key ingredients used in production of concentrates and beverage bases for finished goods (e.g., colors, sweeteners, acidulants, preservatives, juice, gums, emulsifiers, stabilizers). Knowledge of the function and role of each ingredient with demonstrated experience in constructing formula building blocks using a concentrate model to achieve efficiencies in scale. Knowledge of interactions between key ingredients, impact to stability and shelf-life, and ways to mitigate.
Proprietary Composition Information: Ability to recognize and protect proprietary information as it relates to formulas and ingredients.
Food Microbiology: Basic understanding of food microbiology principles and techniques used in food and beverage industry to deliver high quality products over expected shelf-life.
Regulatory and Food Law: Ability to learn, understand and connect with the appropriate function leads to ensure our products meet all requirements (local and global). This includes local compliance for the use of any new ingredients, final product formulations, registrations, and certifications, claims validation, nutrition labeling, in addition to meeting specified Company and Brand requirements.
Building Technical Relationships: Ability to apply technical knowledge and establish credibility with highly technical audiences to build technical relationships that will benefit customers or the Company.
Project Management: Knowledge of project management principles and the ability to apply the principles, tools, and techniques to develop/plan, manage or execute projects or work plans to ensure successful completion (e.g., on time, within budget.) Ability to manage multiple projects across OU's (regional and global scale) in a fast paced environment.
Communication Skills: Must be able to have clear and effective communication with internal and external stakeholders. Must be inclusive in approach and able to build global networks across multiple functions within the system.
Laboratory Practices: Knowledge and application of Good Laboratory Practices (e.g., handling of chemicals and glassware, proper measuring techniques, use of analytical equipment for basic product attributes (pH, carbonation, Brix, density), data management and record keeping, housekeeping.
Health and Safety: Able to adhere to and promote TCCC Health and Safety requirements.
What We Can Do for You
Purpose Driven: Purpose driven approach that empowers our people to protect the environment and communities we serve while delivering safe & quality products.
Global Connections: Allows you to develop, enhance and maintain global connections that allow us to move faster and learn from others.
Community of Belonging: We're an organization that believes our ability to continually grow and build the right atmosphere where people feel safe and empowered, lets you bring your best self to work.
Skills:
Beverage Production; Chemistry; Product Development; Influencing; Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs); Researching; organization; Project Management; Food Sciences; Food Technology; Communication; Food Safety and Sanitation; Laboratory Testing; Data Compilation; Quality Control (QC); Product Formulation
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.