Manager, Product Development

Job description

Job Description Summary: At Coca-Cola, every employee is a leader. In the Juice Category across LATAM, that means turning consumer and business needs into strong technical solutions, working across functions to move projects forward, and delivering product development with rigor and discipline. We are looking for a Manager, Product Development to lead a portfolio of projects for the Juice Category in LATAM . This role is responsible for delivering product development and commercialization projects across innovation, reformulation, regulatory, quality improvement, productivity, and business continuity initiatives. This position requires strong technical product development capability, solid project management, and the ability to work effectively across a cross-functional network to deliver scalable, high-quality, and commercially successful juice, nectar, and juice drink solutions. Focus Areas Key areas of focus of this role can be summarized as follows: GDI Project Execution & Management Project Commercialization Technical diligence and robustness Cross-functional coordination and alignment Work Focus GDI Project Execution & Management, including Commercialization Lead product development and commercialization projects for the Juice Category across LATAM, including innovation, reformulation, regulatory, superior product experience, productivity, and business continuity programs Design the product development approach and build project plans to ensure disciplined execution from concept through commercialization Translate consumer, business, and market insights into product solutions that are technically feasible, commercially relevant, and scalable across the region Deliver projects from desk and benchtop development through pilot and industrial scale-up with a high degree of autonomy Ensure technical diligence across formulation, processing, regulatory, quality, sensory, packaging, shelf life, cost, and manufacturing feasibility Lead commercialization timelines and coordinate project interactions across R&D, marketing, regulatory, quality, supply chain, procurement, finance, technical teams, and bottling partners Recommend validated product solutions supported by technical evidence, defined risk assessment, and formula cost analysis Develop technical specifications including ingredient, formula, processing, manufacturing instructions, and shelf-life recommendations Lead project meetings within the category and across functions to ensure alignment, clarity, and progress against timelines Prepare clear and accurate reports, analyses, and project updates to support decision-making Connect with Global R&D teams to align priorities, project scope, and resources supporting LATAM plans Technical Scope Support development and renovation of juice, nectar, and juice drink portfolios across LATAM Apply knowledge of fruit juice systems, ingredients, sweeteners, additives, beverage processing, sensory performance, shelf life, and manufacturing feasibility Guide pilot trials, plant trials, and commercialization with strong execution discipline Ensure compliance with KO standards, policies, and local regulatory requirements across the OU People Leadership This role is primarily an individual contributor role. Build and contribute to collaborative network relationships across peers, functions, and markets Influence and support more junior developers through technical guidance and day-to-day collaboration Contribute to team capability building through knowledge sharing and strong functional example Act as a role model for accountability, collaboration, and execution discipline Communication Focus Proper, timely, and effective communication is critical to this role’s success. Communicate effectively across the R&D network, LATAM category teams, global communities, suppliers, bottlers, and external partners Translate technical information into clear recommendations for cross-functional stakeholders Support alignment and decision-making in a matrixed environment with multiple priorities What Will Make You Successful You bring strong technical depth in beverage product development You manage projects with discipline and move effectively from concept to commercialization You connect consumer needs with technical development choices You work well across functions and build alignment to keep projects moving You are comfortable handling complexity and making sound technical recommendations You bring clarity, ownership, and consistency in execution Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Food Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Food Technology, or related field required 3–5 years of relevant experience in Research & Development, Product Development, and/or Commercialization roles in the food or beverage industry Experience leading or supporting cross-functional product development projects from concept to launch Strong knowledge of juice systems or non-carbonated beverage development Knowledge of fruit ingredients, sweeteners, additives, processing, quality, and supply chain interfaces Experience with blending, pasteurization, aseptic processing, filling, and scale-up is preferred Understanding of technical functions such as Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and Operations Strong project management capability Strong written and verbal communication skills Good to Have Experience with cost analysis or business case inputs Knowledge of consumer science and marketing interfaces Experience working across multiple LATAM markets and bottlers Familiarity with digital project management or PLM tools Why Join Us Contribute to the future of the Juice Category in LATAM through innovation and renovation Work on high-impact, cross-market initiatives with broad cross-functional exposure Join a collaborative environment where science, consumer understanding, and business needs come together Grow your technical and leadership capability in one of Coca-Cola’s most dynamic product spaces Skills: Adaptability, Chemistry, Commercialization, Communication, Continual Improvement Process, Data Compilation, Food Sciences, Food Technology, Influencing, Laboratory Testing, organization, Product Development, Research Development, Researching, Sensory Processing, Waterfall Model Location(s): Mexico City/Cities: Ciudad de Mexico Travel Required: 00% - 25% Relocation Provided: No Job Posting End Date: September 11, 2026 Our Purpose and Growth Culture: We are taking deliberate action to nurture an inclusive culture that is grounded in our company purpose, to refresh the world and make a difference. We act with a growth mindset, take an expansive approach to what’s possible and believe in continuous learning to improve our business and ourselves. We focus on four key behaviors – curious, empowered, inclusive and agile – and value how we work as much as what we achieve. We believe that our culture is one of the reasons our company continues to thrive after 130+ years. Visit Our Purpose and Vision to learn more about these behaviors and how you can bring them to life in your next role at Coca-Cola.