As the Director of Emerging Process Technologies, you will lead the identification and integration of cutting-edge technology solutions in our processes, ensuring that our organization remains at the forefront of industry innovations. Your role is critical in driving our innovation pipeline through comprehensive technology landscape analysis, scouting for new tools and processes, and piloting innovative solutions that align with our business strategy. You will spearhead the development of advanced processing methods that enhance our innovation value proposition, ensuring the quality, safety, and sustainability of our beverage products. By researching and evaluating emerging technologies, bringing innovative concepts, and collaborating with cross-functional teams, you will ensure that our state-of-the-art processing capabilities are efficient, environmentally friendly, and compliant with industry regulations.

In this capacity, you will manage multiple projects from pilot testing to full-scale implementation, ensuring seamless integration of new technologies into our innovation initiatives. You will stay abreast of industry trends, regulatory changes, and competitor advancements to maintain a competitive edge. Your role involves building and maintaining relationships with technology providers, research institutions, and industry consortia. Additionally, you will provide a forward-looking vision to Process Technology teams across all our locations, working closely with internal subject matter experts to evaluate cutting-edge technologies, share best practices, and drive standardization across our Centers. Your leadership will cultivate a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and sustainability within the organization, ultimately contributing to our strategic goals for innovation and market success.

Key Responsibilities:

Technology Landscape Analysis:

Conduct comprehensive analysis to identify potential emerging process technologies.
Evaluate both short-term and long-term implications of adopting new technologies in manufacturing processes.

Technology Scouting:

Lead efforts to discover and evaluate new tools, platforms, and processes that can enhance manufacturing efficiency.
Establish partnerships with tech startups, research institutions, and other innovation hubs to tap into emerging technological advancements.

Pilot and Integration:

Develop and execute pilot programs to test innovative solutions within the organization’s framework.
Oversee the seamless integration of new technologies into existing production lines to improve efficiency, quality, and sustainability.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

Work closely with Global Categories, Supply Chain, IT, Marketing, and other areas to ensure technological initiatives align with the overall business strategy.
Foster a culture of innovation and ensure smooth collaboration among various areas.

Technology Trend Reporting:

Monitor and report on technology trends and their potential impact on the organization.
Provide strategic insights and recommendations to senior leadership to inform decision-making processes.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or a related field.
Minimum 8 years of experience in technology strategy or emerging technology roles, preferably within the food or beverage manufacturing industry.
Proven track record of managing technology projects from concept to execution.
Analytical and strategic thinking skills to assess the impact of new technologies.
Project management and execution capabilities to ensure timely delivery of technology projects.
Proficiency in both technical and business languages to effectively communicate across various departments.
Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment.
Strong networking and partnership-building skills to establish and maintain connections with technology partners.

Desired Skills and Competencies:

Project Management
Smart Manufacturing competence
Continuous Improvement capability
Knowledge sharing and training
Design of experiments
Data / Trend Analysis
Category technology landscaping
Problem Solving and critical thinking

Accountability:

Ensure timely and successful delivery of process technology projects.

Maintain close connections with key stakeholders within the company (e.g., CPS, Bottlers, Operating Units) and with external partners to protect and enhance business performance.

Skills:
Collaborative Leadership; Mechanical Engineering; Process Control; Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP); Supply Chain Processes; Computer-Aided Design (CAD); Risk Assessments; Process Engineering; Microsoft Office; Communication; Statistical Process Control (SPC); Quality Engineering; Manufacturing Analytics; Data Compilation; Lean Six Sigma (LSS); Production Processes