First woman CEO of Coke's India bottling arm

Christina Ruggiero was located till now at Coke's headquarters in Atlanta

Christina Ruggiero, chief procurement Officer for the Coca-Cola System in North America, will be the first woman to become chief executive officer (CEO) of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), from Monday.

HCCB is the bottling arm for the beverages major in this country. She is currently handling multiple positions for the US giant, being also the president and CEO for Bottlers’ Sales & Services, an entity owned by 68 Coca-Cola bottling members and providing related procurement services. She will be among a handful of female CEOs heading Coke’s bottling operations territories globally. According to Irial Finan, president, Bottling Investment Group, they also have women as CEOs for bottling operations in China and Uruguay. About 65 per cent of production and distribution of Coca-Cola’s beverages are handled by HCCB.

Ruggiero was located till now at Coke’s headquarters in Atlanta. She joined in July 2014 as a vice-president, procurement, for indirect goods and services. Before joining Coke, she was with Diageo, joining there in August 2001 and moved up to the position of VP, procurement, over the next 11 years. An alumna of The University of Huddersfield, Ruggiero also has bachelor’s degree in information sciences. She also holds a diploma in cryptologic science from the US navy.