ATLANTA — The Coca-Cola Co. announced several changes in its leadership team, including the election of a new president and chief operating officer and a succession plan for the chief financial officer.

Brian Smith has been named president and c.o.o., effective Jan. 1, 2019. A 21-year veteran of the company, Mr. Smith currently is president of Coca-Cola's Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) group. He will report to James Quincey, chief executive officer.

“I have tremendous respect for Brian, who is a valued business partner,” Mr. Quincey said. “He is the ideal person to steer the in-market executional leadership of the company, which will allow me to focus on the strategic direction of Coca-Cola as we continue to evolve as a total beverage company.”

John Murphy, president of the Asia Pacific group, will become senior vice-president and deputy c.f.o. on Jan 1. He will be elevated to executive vice-president and c.f.o. on March 16, following the retirement of Kathy Waller, who is departing the company after a 32-year career with Coca-Cola. Ms. Waller assumed the role of c.f.o. in 2014. Mr. Murphy joined the company in 1988 and has served in various senior finance, strategy and operations roles around the world.

“I join everyone at Coca-Cola in thanking Kathy for her many years of exemplary service to the company,” Mr. Quincey said. “She leaves a great legacy as a leader, including as a mentor who created a strong organization and put the building blocks in place to continue to transform and modernize our finance function. John will be a great fit as our new c.f.o., thanks to his broad experience in both finance and as an operational leader.”

Nancy Quan and Barry Simpson

Additionally, Nancy Quan has been named senior vice-president and chief technical officer, effective Jan. 1, reporting to Mr. Quincey. Currently, she is vice-president and chief technical officer for Coca-Cola North America. She succeeds Ed Hays, Ph.D., who plans to retire on March 31. Dr. Hays, who joined Coca-Cola in 1985, will transition to a role as senior adviser on Jan. 1.

Barry Simpson, senior vice-president and chief information officer, will have expanded responsibilities that include oversight of portions of Coca-Cola's Enabling Services organization, functions that currently report to Ms. Waller. Mr. Simpson's new title will be senior vice-president and chief information and integrated services officer on Jan. 1.