Senior Director, Marketing - Emerging Categories

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Senior Director, Marketing - Emerging Categories

🔹 Company: The Coca-Cola Company

🔹 Location: Gurgaon, Haryāna, India

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: May 8, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 12+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Establishing Coca-Cola's presence in a new, multi-billion-dollar beverage category in India
• Developing long-term strategies and business plans for category growth
• Collaborating with global teams to create a disruptive marketing plan
• Driving brand growth and system value through effective resource allocation

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to work cross-functionally to achieve business objectives in an emerging category.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and implement annual and multi-year brand growth strategies and business plans for the new category

✅ Partner with internal and external stakeholders to develop a winning product proposition supported with packaging and programs

✅ Drive commercialization of brand positioning, innovation, consumer communications, and shopper marketing

✅ Develop and communicate written briefs for agencies or suppliers to generate effective concepts

✅ Lead a team of 3 associates and manage cross-functional relationships

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of collaboration, influencing, and negotiation with both internal and external stakeholders.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (MBA preferred)

Experience: 12+ years of experience in brand management and/or marketing, with experience in emerging categories being a plus

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in brand management and marketing
• Strong communication and influencing skills
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage stakeholders
• Experience in emerging categories (preferred)

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with the beverage industry
• Experience working with global teams
• Bilingual or multilingual skills

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong track record in brand management, marketing, and stakeholder engagement, with experience in emerging categories being highly desirable.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: INR 25-35 lakhs per annum (Estimated, based on industry standards for a senior director role in the FMCG sector)

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Employee discounts on Coca-Cola products
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Working Hours: Full-time, with some flexibility for work from home

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a senior director role in the FMCG sector in India. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: The Coca-Cola Company operates in the Food and Beverage Services industry, with a focus on sparkling soft drinks, water, sports, coffee, tea, juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages.

Company Size: The Coca-Cola Company has 10,001+ employees globally, with a large presence in India.

Founded: The Coca-Cola Company was founded in 1886 and has since grown into a multinational corporation with operations in over 200 countries and territories.

Company Description:

• The Coca-Cola Company is a total beverage company, offering a wide range of sparkling soft drinks, waters, sports drinks, coffee, tea, and juices.
• The company is committed to refreshing the world and making a difference, with a focus on sustainability, water replenishment, packaging recycling, and carbon emissions reductions.
• The Coca-Cola Company employs over 700,000 people worldwide, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities.

Company Specialties:

• Beverages

Company Website: www.coca-colacompany.com

ASSUMPTION: The Coca-Cola Company is a well-established multinational corporation with a strong presence in the beverage industry. This role offers the opportunity to work for a global brand and contribute to its growth in emerging categories.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior Director

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Vice President of Marketing for the INSWA OU

Work Arrangement: On-site, with some flexibility for work from home

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to grow within the marketing function or explore other areas of the business
• Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and drive business growth
• Exposure to global teams and cross-functional collaboration

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a significant impact on the company's expansion into new categories.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate office

Office Location(s): Gurgaon, Haryāna, India

Geographic Context:

• Gurgaon is a major IT and commercial hub in India, located near New Delhi
• The office is located in a modern, well-equipped facility with amenities such as a gym, cafeteria, and parking
• The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment options

Work Schedule: Full-time, with some flexibility for work from home

ASSUMPTION: The work environment at The Coca-Cola Company's Gurgaon office is modern, collaborative, and supportive of employee growth and development.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
• In-depth interviews with cross-functional stakeholders
• Final interview with the Vice President of Marketing

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Communication and influencing skills
• Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
• Cultural fit and alignment with company values

Application Tips:

• Highlight relevant experience in emerging categories and brand management
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize skills and experiences that match the job requirements
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills

ATS Keywords: Brand management, marketing strategy, emerging categories, stakeholder engagement, cross-functional collaboration, business plan development

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is likely to be comprehensive, with a focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, communication skills, and cultural fit.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, Salesforce)
• Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for marketing professionals and can be learned on the job if necessary.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Leadership: We lead with courage, through our actions and example
• Collaboration: We succeed through diverse thoughts and voices
• Integrity: We are honest with ourselves and each other

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and dynamic environment
• Collaborative and inclusive culture
• Focus on results and continuous improvement

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment?
• Are you comfortable working collaboratively with diverse teams?
• Do you have a proven track record of driving results and continuous improvement?

ASSUMPTION: The Coca-Cola Company values a diverse and inclusive work environment, with a focus on collaboration, integrity, and leadership.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Working in an emerging category with limited existing market data and insights
• Managing cross-functional relationships and stakeholder expectations
• Balancing short-term priorities with long-term strategic goals
• Adapting to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges and opportunities, requiring a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other senior marketing roles, this position focuses more on emerging categories and strategic planning
• Industry-specific context: The beverage industry is highly competitive, with a focus on innovation, branding, and market share
• Career path comparison: This role offers the opportunity to grow within the marketing function or explore other areas of the business

ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on emerging categories and strategic planning, offering a challenging and rewarding opportunity for the right candidate.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive business plan for launching a new beverage category in India
• Conducting market research and consumer insights to inform brand positioning and product development
• Leading cross-functional teams to execute marketing campaigns and drive brand growth

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, collaborative, and hands-on nature of the role, requiring a strong combination of analytical, communication, and leadership skills.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does this role fit into the broader marketing strategy for the INSWA OU?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the company in the emerging category, and how can this role address them?
• How does the company support the growth and development of its employees?
• What is the company's approach to work-life balance and flexible work arrangements?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to assess the role's priorities, strategic fit, challenges, growth opportunities, and work-life balance.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in brand management, marketing strategy, and emerging categories
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.