Director, Product Development

Location: Gurugram, India   

Role Type: People Leader/ People Manager  

Please note: This is not a Remote role and will require the individual to be based in Gurugram, India and follow a hybrid work schedule. This is a People Leader/ Manager role.

The role of Director, Product Development – INSWA is critical for driving innovation, product development, and business continuity in the INSWA region, a key growth market for The Coca-Cola Company. This position oversees end-to-end management of the GDI satellite lab, ensuring the timely delivery of innovation, regulatory compliance, superior product experiences, and operational excellence. The role requires deep expertise in food and beverage product development, stakeholder management, and resource allocation to meet the demands of the innovation pipeline while mitigating technical risks. Additionally, this position is vital for developing technical talent, building a high-performing team, and maintaining seamless alignment with global strategies. By filling this role, Coca-Cola will strengthen its competitive edge in the region and ensure sustainable growth through innovation and operational leadership.

What You’ll Do for Us:

• Presents on scientific topics to senior leadership and scientific and non-scientific audiences.

• Responsible for making recommendations for technology investments today that will enable future success.

• Responsible for identifying, recommending, and managing external research partnerships for Functional Ingredient and Technology research.

• Take a leadership role for clinical studies. Work with appropriate internal and external experts to develop testing protocols and experiments to substantiate claims and validate efficacy of functional ingredients and technology.

• Write detailed & accurate reports for analyses, experiments, or projects (e.g., equipment validation, evaluation of new processes).   Communicate clearly in email and verbally with technical, non-technical, domestic, and international audiences.

• Prepare samples and sampling plan for ingredients, intermediate or finished products, or other materials to perform analyses (e.g., chemical, physical, sensory, microbiological).

• Gather and organize information under tight timelines to support senior management's decision-making.

• Apply knowledge of sensory and consumer testing techniques and principles to influence consumer test design and collaborate intelligently with sensory team.

• Identify, select, authorize and/or manage relationships with vendors or suppliers to ensure proper capabilities, conformance with Company standards and appropriate products and services (e.g., ingredients, materials, testing services).

• Develop quality standards, specifications, or requirements (e.g., concentrate/beverage base, ingredients, packaging, beverage, processes, and new technology) to ensure quality and integrity of products, and to protect the trademarks of the Coca-Cola Company.

• Provide support to customers to identify, manage or resolve incidents (e.g., critical emergencies, product withdrawals/recalls, disasters, potential business threats) in order to maintain the integrity of our products and trademarks and to minimize interruptions to Company or customer operations.

• Conduct review of scientific or other literature to maintain and improve laboratory knowledge/skills.   

Qualifications & Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry or related field is required, Master’s or PHD degree is preferred 

• 10+ years successful experience with a solid technical background with experience /exposure outside of academia, creative bench skills, the ability to manage projects from concept to execution, understand consumer research, and be able to work collaboratively across functions (technical and non-technical).  Project activities are related to product development innovation, brand maintenance and evaluation of new technologies, all requiring a high level of attention to detail.

• Product Development: Deep knowledge and practical application of the product development process.  Flexible and creative development skills with a strong attention to detail.

• 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).

• Building Technical Relationships: Ability to apply technical knowledge and establish credibility with highly technical audiences in order to build technical relationships that will benefit customers or the Company.

• Ingredients: Knowledge of and experience with key ingredients used in production of concentrates and beverage bases (e.g., caramel, citric acid, sodium benzoate, phosphoric acid, natural flavors).

• Beverage Manufacturing: Knowledge of and ability to apply carbonated and non-carbonated beverage processing techniques (e.g., proportioning, carbonating, syrup manufacturing, filling).

• Flavor Industry Knowledge: Knowledge of flavoring materials, the flavor industry and the trade organizations that represent them.

• Computer Skills: Knowledge of Microsoft suite of programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), formula/database type systems, and capable user.

• Basic Organic Chemistry: Knowledge of basic organic structures, reactions, functional groups, and properties needed to understand the reactions of organic compounds in Company products. This includes the understanding of moderately complex principles to problem-solve package or ingredient related issues.

• Endurance: Willingness and ability to occasionally function effectively over extended periods of time.  Ability to be flexible and adjust priorities based on business needs.

• Laboratory Practices: Knowledge and application of Good Laboratory Practices (e.g., handling of chemicals and glassware, preparation of standards and reagents, proper measuring techniques,  data management, housekeeping).

• Proprietary Composition Information: Ability to recognize and protect proprietary information as it relates to formulas and ingredients.

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; Product Specifications; Supply Chain; Quality Assurance Systems; Critical Control Points; Quality Metrics; Process Control; Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP); Waterfall Model; Quality Reporting; Quality Inspections; Packaging; Process Engineering; Microsoft Office; Communication; Food Safety and Sanitation; Global Collaborations; Statistical Process Control (SPC); Shipping; Lean Six Sigma (LSS); Food Chemistry