Senior Manager, Process and Pilot Plant Manager

Please note: This is not a Remote role and will require the incumbent to be based in Sanand, Gujarat. This is a People Manager role.

At Coca-Cola, we are looking for a Senior Manager, Process and Pilot Plant Manager to lead and shape our innovation pipeline by inventing, developing, and commercializing new processing technologies that create sustainable competitive advantages for our brands. In this role, you will provide technical expertise and leadership to ensure seamless execution of business projects, overcoming process challenges through smart, science-based solutions. You will play a key role in building and optimizing Pilot Plant capabilities to support both global and INSWA GDI (Global Development & Innovation) initiatives. Leading a small but highly impactful team, you will manage resources, technology research, and product/process development to drive innovation forward.

As a key connector between internal and external stakeholders, you will collaborate with global and regional R&D teams, manufacturing and engineering partners, bottlers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies to ensure successful implementation of breakthrough process innovations.

This is an exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking leader with a passion for technology, process innovation, and cross-functional collaboration to make a tangible impact on the future of Coca-Cola’s product portfolio.

What You’ll Do for Us:

• Lead and provide technical expertise for new product processes from ideation to commercialization and guide other projects and programs.

• Identify process optimization opportunities and provide technical solutions to create value.

• Provide timely troubleshooting with strong technical and scientific solutions.

• Act as a SME between GDI and manufacturing operations for technology transfer, production start-up, and manufacturing optimization.

• Collaborate closely with Global GDI, universities, suppliers, engineering, and manufacturing to identify or invent new technologies that can deliver sustainable competitive advantages.

• Establish and manage best practices and troubleshooting databases as a key player in the APAC process and operation team.

• Manage and optimize pilot plant resources to support new products, process development, and new technology research. Productivity opportunities

• Support aseptic start up and troubleshooting + tech expertise to enable bottler execution

• New technologies and process capability to enable superior product design

• Provide annual budget/cost estimation and manufacturing cost (MOH) for the INSWA pilot plant.

• Manage pilot plant projects for both GDI and commercial production purposes, including adding new machinery, equipment/layout improvements, and EHS/GMP improvements.

• Oversee pilot plant supplier management, using KO system qualified suppliers wherever possible, including solutions discussions, cost negotiations, PO/payment processes, installation, and performance evaluation.

• Motivate the team and enhance their functional capabilities through work and training.

• Perform other tasks assigned by superior leaders.

Qualifications & Requirements: 

• BS with 10-14 years or MS with 8-10 years or PhD with 5-7 years of hands-on experience in process development and/or engineering, preferably within the food and beverage industry.

• Strong expertise in innovative process development, scaling new technologies, and optimizing production methods for commercial success.

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required to effectively collaborate across global teams and external stakeholders.

• Able to work in a fast-paced environment; able to multi-task with proven follow-through and adherence to changing priorities and deadlines. 

Travel Requirements

Travel required 5 – 30% of work time depending on project needs and business priorities.

Other Core Competencies:

• Mentoring Skills: Willing and able to train and develop junior technicians in the pilot plant.

• Leadership / Deliver Results: Self-motivated, results-driven, and capable of effectively motivating a team and taking ownership.

• People and Team Management Skills: Capable of recruiting and developing talent, building teams, and inspiring others.

• Innovation: Curious and creative, with analytical skills necessary to effectively assess ideas from both internal and external sources.

• Cross-Functional Relationships: Lead projects and programs requiring coordination between multiple functions such as Marketing, Manufacturing, Technical, GDI counterparts, and global suppliers. Build strong working relationships with GDI colleagues and other functions like CPS, OU, and bottlers.

• Strategic Focus: Provide strategic perspectives to projects and programs.

• Agility: Dive deeply into one or two categories (Dairy and juice are high priorities) and expand to others with flexibility.

Functional Skills:

• Technical Skills: Strong process development skills and recognition as a regional expert for specific technology areas.

• Project Management Skills: Capable of managing and delivering projects and programs on schedule.

• Quality System Management Skills: Proficiency in quality system management.

• Basic microbiological knowledge.

• AutoCAD Skills: Familiar with AutoCAD and its application in daily work.

• Ansys knowledge for process simulation is a plus.

What can help you to be successful in the role?

Growth Behavior:

• Growth Mindset: Demonstrates Curiosity. Welcomes failure as a learning opportunity.

• Smart Risk: Makes bold decisions/recommendations.

• Externally Focused: Understands the upstream and downstream implications of his/her work.

• Performance Driven & Accountable: Has high performance standards. Outperforms her/his peers.

• Fast/Agile: Removes barriers to move faster. Experiments and adapts. Thrives under pressure and fast pace.

• Empowered: Brings solutions instead of problems. Challenges the status quo. Has the courage to take an unpopular stance.

Leadership Behavior

• Act Like an Owner: Deliver results, creating value for our brands, our System, our customers and key stakeholders.

• Collaborate with the System, Customers and Key Stakeholders

• Develops Self and Others: Develop self and support others' development to achieve their full potential.

• Drive Innovation: Generate new or unique solutions and embrace new ideas that help sustain our business.

What We Can Do For You 

• Career growth and development: Leveraging our boundaryless network, we provide access to educational platforms and provide coaching, mentoring and feedback, as a part of our Leadership & Development process.

• Diverse and inclusive culture: You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs. We want to make our culture inevitable.

• International Experience: Become part of international projects and work along multicultural teams, through our global network.

Skills

Continual Improvement Process; Supply Chain; Sustainability; Research and Development Operations; Key Performance Indicators (KPI); Food Processing; organization; Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP); Food Production; Project Budgeting; Manufacturing; Packaging; Process Engineering; Group Problem Solving; Communication; Project Management; Long Term Planning; Compliance; Cost Estimates; Production Processes