Project Coordinator, R&D Experimentation

Our Customer is an American multinational beverage corporation headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Their many interests include the manufacturing, retailing, and marketing of nonalcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups. They are passionate about beverages around the world, with around 200 brands and 700,000+ employees across the company and bottling partners. They take deliberate action to nurture an inclusive culture that is grounded in their company purpose, to refresh the world and make a difference. They believe their culture is one of the reasons their company continues to thrive after 130+ years.

We are looking for a contract R&D Experimentation Project Coordinator to manage and pursue innovative solutions for implementation that support business objectives and business challenges within the Technical team. This position will independently lead Experimentation projects with external solutions, collaborate with the larger Technical team and bottling partners with the aim to drive innovation. This individual will collaborate across multiple development groups to gather insights, model/test potential solutions, and design the outputs from the collective work. Reporting to the Senior Manager of Experimentation and External Technology Acquisition, this role will be responsible for testing hypotheses, designing and run tests/experiments/proof-of-concepts/pilots, analyzing data, define KPIs, drawing conclusions, and developing actionable recommendations that promote external innovation adoption and support business advancements for the company’s Technical and Supply Chain Groups. This role is hybrid (onsite 3 days a week) at our Customer's Atlanta, GA location.

Responsibilities:

• Perform as a strategic partner of innovation to assess new opportunities, influence change, and develop new capabilities.
• Manage and optimize processes for the intake/review/validation of ideas, visualization of concepts, and communication of designs.
• Anticipate future demands of initiatives related to people, technology, budget and business activities, and design/implement solutions to meet these needs.
• Develop and manage roadmaps and schedules to deliver prototypes, proof of concepts and hand-offs to operating units and operational teams.
• Lead and direct different cross-functional programs and projects of varied sizes and types concurrently.
• Design and model solutions in support of Technical Group innovations.
• Exercise decision-making and independent judgment while being aligned with internal partners, customers, management and other stakeholders.
• Monitor innovation trends in the beverage industry (and related areas) to inform solution paths and to supplement research findings.

Required Experience and Skills

• A BS degree in the fields of Life Science / Engineering / Innovation or equivalent experience is required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in project management preferably within an innovation environment or R&D group.
• Overall business acumen and experience in shepherding ideas from the visionary stage through to production (transforming ideas into realities).
• Proven experience performing systems analysis and evaluation.
• Expertise in agile methodology and delivering quality quickly.
• Cross-industry experience (bringing new ideas and new perspectives).
• Experience with digital technologies, modern software solutions and architecture.
• Broad experience in researching and identifying trends.
• Demonstrated high proficiency in managing multiple projects and programs.
• Collaborating with creative teams, research and development, and product development teams.
• Ability to partner with and communicate effectively with global team members.
• Must possess an inquisitive and creative mind.
• Ability to manage both success and failure; and ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to work with a brief set of assumptions.
• Ability to work on international projects and collaborate with stakeholders from different regional and cultural backgrounds.
• Develop and nurture relationships with colleagues, customers, and key stakeholders by listening, asking questions, assuming positive intent and delivering on promises.
• Demonstrate superior communication, interpersonal, influencing and presentation skills, with the ability to interact with key decision makers at all levels.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both highly technical and business-focused teams.
• Strong critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical abilities.
• Ability to clearly distinguish between fact and professional opinion in all communication work.
• Demonstrate a passion for our business, and inspire people to excel by championing and discerning new and creative approaches.

Perks are available through our 3rd Party Employer of Record (Available upon completion of waiting period for eligible engagements)
Health Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life (including spouse & child), 401k, STD/LTD, AD&D, and Commuter Benefits program.

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.