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Supplier Diversity

Supplier Diversity at Coke Florida

Collaborate. Advocate. Assist.

As a certified Minority Owned Business (MBE) and the fourth largest Black owned business in the United States, the mission of the Coke Florida Supplier Diversity program is to partner with other qualified and certified diverse suppliers who can support our business needs. We develop and engage with our diverse supplier partners with the intentional goals of promoting economic value and growth in the communities where we live, work, and play.

Our Commitment

Coke Florida’s Supplier Diversity Policy

We recognize the importance of a diverse and inclusive supplier base, and we are committed to partnering with diverse partners who bring value, innovation, and best in class products and services at the most competitive pricing in the market.

As a corporate-wide initiative, Coke Florida’s Supplier Diversity policy aims to foster inclusion within our sourcing projects by involving qualified, diverse groups, who meet our supplier requirements. Our commitment to diverse partnerships provides unique solutions to our business, ultimately contributing to a positive corporate, social, and economic impact. We commit to reviewing this policy periodically to ensure relevance and address evolving needs.

Our Program

Coke Florida’s Supplier Diversity team collaborates with potential partners to answer any questions pertaining to opportunities and certification, serve as an advocate for diverse suppliers, and assist with the continual growth of an all-inclusive culture and community. The commitment of our Supplier Diversity Program is an organizational wide responsibility shared with our affiliates, contractors, and employees, and we will conduct business in a manner which reflects our foundational guidelines.

Our program includes:

  • Certification assistance
  • Tier II program
  • Resources for mentorship, funding assistance, and partnership
  • Supplier Spotlights
  • Interactive events with Coke Florida teams

Our Requirements

Classifications:  Diverse suppliers must possess U.S. citizen status and fall within at least one of the following classifications and be at least 51% owned, operated, and managed by an individual who belongs to one of the following traditionally underrepresented groups:

  • Disabled-owned Business Enterprise (DOBE)
  • Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, & Transgender (LGBT)
  • Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE)
  • Small Business Enterprise (SBE)
  • Veteran-owned Business Enterprise (VBE) & (SDVBE)
  • Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE)

Certification: Diverse suppliers that fall within the above classifications are required to be certified by a third-party agency. Such agencies include:

**If you need assistance obtaining certification, please contact us directly at supplierdiversity@cocacolaflorida.com.

Minimum Requirements: Diverse suppliers are held to the high-ranking standards of Coke Florida, and as such, must meet the following:

  • Alignment with our Community and Cultural Pillars
  • Superb products & services, value, and high quality & safety standards
  • Established business with valid Tax ID & financial stability
  • Certification from approved third-party agency
  • Applicable insurance coverage – varies
  • Competitive pricing and mutual partnership
  • Guaranteed business continuity

**Requirements are subject to change at the discretion of Coke Florida
*Coke Florida’s Supplier Diversity program does not guarantee the involvement and/or award of any project or bid

Our Process

Become a Registered Supplier  

Diverse suppliers interested in doing business with Coke Florida should contact us at supplierdiversity@cocacolaflorida.com.

How does Coke Florida define a diverse supplier?

Diverse suppliers must fall within the at least one of the following classifications and be at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled with U.S. citizen status.

  • Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE)
  • Veteran-owned Business Enterprise (VBE)
  • Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE)
  • Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, & Transgender (LGBT)
  • Disabled-owned Business Enterprise (DOBE)
  • Small Business Enterprise (SBE)

I am a diverse supplier, but I have not been certified. Can I still register and be considered for business opportunities with Coke Florida?

 You will need to become third-party certified to register as a diverse supplier with Coke Florida. We are here to help guide you through this process. If certification assistance is needed, please reach out to supplierdiversity@cocacolaflorida.com.

I am a diverse supplier interested in working with Coke Florida. How can I learn more?

We encourage certified diverse suppliers interested in doing business with Coke Florida to contact us at supplierdiversity@cocacolaflorida.com.

I am a registered diverse supplier with Coke Florida, is there anything else I need to do?

No further action is required. We encourage you to follow up on a bi-annual basis directly with our Supplier Diversity department directly at supplierdiversity@cocacolaflorida.com.

What if I registered with Coke Florida Supplier Diversity but have not been contacted for a procurement opportunity?

If your company has not been contacted for a potential procurement opportunity, either the opportunity has not yet occurred or a match between your company’s product/service and our procurement needs have not been identified at this time.

I have registered in the supplier database. Does this make my company a “preferred” or “approved” supplier?

No. Registration does not classify a company as a “preferred” or “approved” supplier. Registration gives us access to your company’s information. We will use the information in the database as a source of potential suppliers to consider when an appropriate opportunity arises in our sourcing process.

I am a registered diverse supplier. Does this guarantee me business with Coke Florida?

No. Being a registered and / or certified diverse supplier does not guarantee business with Coke Florida. We foster the opportunity to participate in our souring needs, but all suppliers must meet our vetting standards. No guarantee is ever granted to any supplier without going through the formal procurement, award, and contracting processes.

Does Coke Florida require its Prime suppliers to utilize specific Tier II suppliers?

Coke Florida encourages its prime suppliers to honor their commitment to diversity by actively including certified diverse suppliers as Tier II vendors in any Coke Florida projects. However, we do not dictate which company prime suppliers use as their subcontractors.

 Is my business a Small Business?

The U.S. Small Business Association provides specific qualifications and registration forms. Unless your business involves commercial farming, if you have fewer than 100 employees and your total income plus your cost of goods sold is less than $7.5 million, then you qualify as a Small Business.

Is my business a Small Disadvantaged Business?

According to the SBA, Small Disadvantaged Businesses must meet the requirements for a Small Business and be 51% owned and controlled by one or more disadvantaged persons, which is a

designation for those who are socially and economically disadvantaged. For more information and to register, visit the SBA website.

Is my business a (HUB) Zone Business?

The SBA defines HUB Zones as areas that have high unemployment, low median household incomes, or both. The SBA maintains maps of HUB Zones. In addition to meeting the SBA Small Business Requirements, the principal offices of HUB Zone Businesses must be located in HUB Zones and 35% of a HUB Zone Business’ employees must reside in a HUB Zone. To apply for certification, visit the SBA website.

 

 *** Since Supplier Diversity is always evolving, we are dedicated to periodic re-evaluation of our policy. If you believe you and your business are not represented by any of the categories listed, we would like to hear about it.