At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform Coca-Cola's Away From Home business with innovative strategies and data-driven insights.
- Company: Join Coca-Cola, a diverse and inclusive employer committed to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, growth opportunities, and a culture that values continuous learning.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of a global brand while driving impactful change.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and expertise in commercial strategy and data analytics required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
This job is with Coca-Cola, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
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.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
Role Summary: The Director Operations AFH is the enterprise leader responsible for transforming and accelerating the Away From Home business in the market through a unified, insight-driven, and execution-focused system approach. This role owns the end-to-end AFH strategic agenda and ensures the Company and the bottler operate against a single, fully aligned 360 Integrated Activation (360IA) plan that drives availability, incidence, outlet penetration, equipment productivity, and profitable growth across all AFH segments.
A core part of the mandate is leading commercial execution excellence, accelerating the AFH system capabilities to predictive, insight-led, and value-driven models that materially improve availability, incidence, and cooler performance. This role also leads the development of a customer segmented equipment strategy for AFH and partners with bottlers to ensure disciplined system-wide implementation.
The Director is fully accountable for owning AFH channel performance, jointly setting and governing system KBIs, and leading mitigation and acceleration actions to meet BP volume, revenue, and share targets. As the senior orchestrator of the AFH system, the Director integrates data, analytics, and AI across planning, execution, and performance routines-driving a modern, consistent, and future-ready operating model that unlocks sustainable growth across the AFH ecosystem.
What You'll Do for Us:
- Lead AFH Strategy, 360IA & System Alignment
- Lead the creation of ABP and long range AFH strategies, translating them into integrated roadmaps that connect portfolio, RGM, media, equipment, RTM, and in outlet activation across all AFH segments.
- Lead high impact strategic initiatives, including RTM design, recruitment channel expansion, category development, omnichannel execution, and data driven customer planning tailored for the AFH ecosystem.
- Act as the senior system integrator and influencer, aligning GM, Marketing, RGM, Finance, Digital, bottler, and key customers behind a unified AFH growth agenda.
- Drive AFH Commercial Execution Excellence
- Lead commercial execution excellence for the AFH business in the market, accelerating system capabilities to predictive, insight-led, and value-driven models to grow availability, incidence, and Coolers/10k performance.
- Lead the development of a segmented equipment (cooler, vending, fountain and others) strategy, ensuring system-wide implementation with bottlers to maximize coverage, productivity, and outlet penetration.
- Embed RGM, financial modelling, and scenario planning into AFH decisions to optimize price pack architecture, customer profitability, and margin delivery.
- Own AFH Channel Performance & System KPIs
- Own system AFH channel performance, jointly setting and monitoring system performance KBIs and leading mitigation and acceleration actions to deliver BP volume, revenue, and share targets.
- Govern AFH performance routines, ensuring they are insight driven, action oriented, and forward looking rather than reporting led.
- Maintain a predictive view of the competitive, channel, and regulatory environment using data and insights to proactively shape system responses.
- Lead Data, Digital & AI Enabled Transformation
- Embed data, analytics, and AI across the AFH operating model, improving forecasting, outlet segmentation, equipment deployment, activation effectiveness, and execution quality.
- Leverage advanced analytics and AI to identify incremental revenue, margin, and execution opportunities across brands, packs, consumption occasions, and customer types.
- Champion a test-learn-scale culture, accelerating adoption of digital tools and analytics across the Company-bottler AFH system.
Experience & Capabilities:
- Strong AFH and channel expertise, with deep understanding of customer needs, RTM models, and execution levers across the AFH landscape.
- Robust commercial, RGM, and financial skills, with experience using modelling and scenario planning to drive profitable, insight-led decisions.
- Proven leadership in data-, digital- and AI-enabled transformation, embedding predictive analytics and digital tools into AFH planning, execution, and performance management.
- Demonstrated system leadership, influencing senior stakeholders across Company, bottler, and customer organizations to drive integrated end-to-end execution.
- Strategic and execution-focused leader, able to translate strategy into predictable, high-quality in-market delivery.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management, with strong executive presence.
- In-market experience preferred; franchise system or matrix leadership experience is beneficial.
Travel: Up to 25%.
Director, Operations AFH in London employer: Coca-cola
Coca-Cola is an exceptional employer that champions inclusivity and continuous growth, making it a fantastic place for the Director of Operations AFH role. With a strong focus on nurturing a culture of curiosity, empowerment, and agility, employees are encouraged to thrive in a dynamic environment that values both personal and professional development. Located in London, this position offers unique opportunities to lead transformative initiatives within a globally recognised brand, all while contributing to a purpose-driven mission to refresh the world and make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Operations AFH in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to Coca-Cola. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Coca-Cola’s culture and values. Understand their growth mindset and how they embrace inclusivity. Tailor your responses to show how you embody these traits and can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. Focus on articulating your experience in operations and how it aligns with Coca-Cola's goals. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team. Keep an eye on the careers page for updates and new opportunities!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Operations AFH in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about the opportunity to lead AFH strategy and make a difference at Coca-Cola.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills. We love seeing how your background aligns with our mission and the specific requirements of the Director, Operations AFH role.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you the perfect fit for this position. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Coca-cola
✨Understand the Company Culture
Before your interview, dive deep into Coca-Cola's purpose and growth culture. Familiarise yourself with their key behaviours: curious, empowered, inclusive, and agile. This will help you align your answers with their values and demonstrate that you're a great fit for their team.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
As a Director of Operations, you'll need to think strategically. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led high-impact initiatives or transformed business operations. Be ready to discuss how you can apply these skills to drive Coca-Cola's AFH strategy.
✨Prepare for Data-Driven Discussions
Coca-Cola is looking for someone who can leverage data and analytics effectively. Brush up on your knowledge of predictive analytics and be prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform decisions in previous roles. Highlight any experience you have with AI-enabled transformations.
✨Engage with Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in Coca-Cola's AFH ecosystem and their approach to commercial execution excellence. This not only demonstrates your curiosity but also helps you assess if the company aligns with your career goals.
