Senior Lab Analyst

At The Coca-Cola Company, we are passionate about creating the world's best beverages. Our Ingredient Quality department plays a critical role in ensuring the highest quality standards are met, from sourcing to production. As a Senior Lab Analyst, you will be a key member of our Ingredient Quality team, responsible for safeguarding the integrity of our ingredients through rigorous scientific analysis, primarily contaminant analysis. You will demonstrate leadership and leverage your expertise in analytical chemistry and quality control to drive continuous improvement in our laboratory processes, ensuring accurate and timely results that support critical business decisions. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the success of our global beverage brands by ensuring the quality and safety of the ingredients that go into every product we make.

• Maintain a safe working environment: Be part of a team that looks out for each other's safety. Adhere to all laboratory safety protocols, including proper handling and disposal of chemicals, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and maintaining a clean and organized workspace.
• Conduct comprehensive routine quality testing: Independently use sophisticated instrumentation (e.g., GC-MS, GC-MSMS, LC-MSMS) to perform a wide range of contaminant analysis on a variety of ingredients. You will make decisions regarding the acceptability of ingredients for quality and, potentially, food safety purposes.
• Ensure data integrity and compliance: Adhere to strict quality standards (ISO 17025, GLP), maintain accurate records, and ensure compliance with all relevant company practices regarding confidentiality.
• Drive innovation: Identify and lead projects to implement new analytical methods, improve laboratory efficiency, and enhance data accuracy.
• Effective Collaboration: Work with cross-functional teams and external clients (e.g., R&D, Production, Procurement) to address quality issues and support business objectives.
• Train, mentor, and lead: May lead an area/workflow and learn from others. Train and mentor colleagues in an environment that fosters continuous learning and personal growth for everyone.
• Maintain laboratory equipment: Perform routine maintenance and calibration and determine the next steps in troubleshooting analytical instrument performance.
• Demonstrate leadership across the global network: Fostering collaboration, empowering individuals, and cultivating a growth mindset within the team to achieve shared business objectives.

• Analytical Techniques: Prior experience is preferred with other analytical, chemical, and physical property measurements such as Specific Gravity (SG), Titration and Solubility.
• Chromatography: Proficiency in Gas and/or Liquid Chromatography (GC, LC). Experience with GC-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS and/or GC-MSMS) and/or LC-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS, LC-MSMS) is preferred.

• Data Management: Experience using a Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) such as SampleManager is preferred.
• Laboratory Proficiency: Proven track record of safe and effective handling of chemicals in a laboratory environment.

• Quality Systems: Experience working in an accredited lab, such as ISO-17025:2017, including knowledge of root cause analysis, method auditing, control charting, and evaluating instrument performance and data quality.

• Technical Writing: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly document experimental procedures, data analysis, and technical reports.
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Must be able to maintain a strong level of confidentiality.

• Troubleshooting: Demonstrated ability to effectively diagnose and resolve complex analytical quality issues.

• Must possess a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry
• Must possess at least 3 years' experience working in a laboratory environment
• Preferred experience with Flavor, Fragrance and/or Juice ingredients
• Preferred experience within a Manufacturing environment

• We embrace creative tension, knowing an essential ingredient to our growth is the diversity of our backgrounds, perspectives and collective knowledge. We recognize, learn from and elevate one another as we work toward our shared purpose and goals.

• This position is based in Apopka, Florida.
• Working hours of the lab are generally 5-5 but may be modified depending on business needs. The role is normally an 8 hour shift.
• Work is on-site (not remote).
• The lab provides on-site support to a food manufacturing plant, providing direct communication and action to support the production and technical staff throughout the workday.
• This role requires testing of materials at a high level of throughput.
• Normal manufacturing plant/lab/office working conditions apply on-site. This position is subject to the hazards and risks of a food manufacturing plant and its working environment.

• There may be some business travel (< 10%)

• Technical Excellence: Gain valuable experience within a globally recognized organization, learning to operate state-of-the-art laboratory technologies. Gain experience working in an ISO 17025 accredited lab and knowledge of quality systems. Learn from industry leaders in cutting-edge flavor quality control testing methodologies. Direct engagement with a manufacturing facility.
• Industry Expertise: Develop a deep understanding of ingredient quality, including flavors and their applications within the food and beverage industry.
• Career Development: Collaborate with key stakeholders, including manufacturing teams, flavor R&D, and other global functions that may become part of your career path in a global beverage company.
• Benefits: A competitive benefits package that starts on day one of employment.