The Coca‑Cola Company Announces New Leader for Japan & South Korea Operating Unit

AMTV, Atlanta, Feb 15 – The Coca‑Cola Company today announced that Murat Ozgel, who has served as president of the company’s Bottling Investments Group since 2022, will become president of the Japan & South Korea operating unit effective April 1.

Ozgel succeeds Jorge Garduño, who became the company’s Chief Customer & Commercial Officer Feb. 1.

As president of BIG, Ozgel oversees much of Coca‑Cola’s company-owned bottling operations. In this role, Ozgel led the refranchising of operations in five countries to unlock further growth opportunities with independent bottling operations.

“Murat is a deeply experienced leader who has a strong reputation for team management and driving business transformation,” said Henrique Braun, president, International Development. “He has a rich array of experiences across our business in franchise operations, marketing, commercial and innovation, and I’m very confident he will be immensely successful in this new role.”
Ozgel will continue to provide leadership to BIG during a transition period. He will report to Braun.

Prior to his current role, Ozgel served as BIG’s chief growth officer, where he led the organization to enhance its portfolio, capabilities and infrastructure through strategic mergers and acquisitions. Previously, Ozgel was president of the former Middle East and North Africa business unit.

Ozgel has been with the Coca‑Cola system since 2003, when he started at bottler Coca‑Cola Icecek. Ozgel has worked for Coca‑Cola in many parts of the world, from his current base in Dubai to China to the Middle East to his home country, Türkiye.

Prior to Coca‑Cola, Ozgel held several roles with Procter & Gamble.

Ozgel earned a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from Middle East Technical University.