Moore retires after nearly 50 years at Coke

Just before the radio and television airwaves were introduced to what would become an international hit in “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke,” Noemi Moore walked into the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New York’s Brooklyn facility at the age of 18 and began what would be an almost five-decade career with one of the world’s best-known brands.

Since 1970, Moore and the company have grown together through iconic moments, milestones, innovations and professional achievements. Forty-eight years ago everyone in New York management was a man and there were no fax machines or copiers, but both workplace dynamic and technology have transformed.

“I say I have a PhD in the Coca-Cola Company,” said the Valley Stream resident, who climbed through at the company’s various facilities in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island.

Moore started as a switchboard operator and eventually held titles of office manager, executive assistant to the vice president of Sales, regional controller and financial analyst. She is currently the business manager at the Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages in Smithtown, where she manages a team of administrators that work six days a week.

She recognizes her first boss, Robert Freedman, as giving her the inspiration to be able to advance her career. He became her mentor and gave her the foundation to grow within the company. 

“I have worked with, and for, many great leaders in Coca-Cola,” said Moore, who has held her current management role for almost 22 years. “This includes one being the first female that was promoted into management in the New York branches and many others along the way. I have learned that to be a good leader one must lead by example and be fair, but also firm.”

“Noemi lives all of the Coca-Cola values, especially passion and collaboration,” said Fran McGorry, co-owner of Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages. “Throughout her entire tenure, she lifted her team members up and made everyone else around her better. Her departure will certainly be felt.” 

In 2004, Moore was nominated by her manager and selected to represent Coca-Cola as a torchbearer in New York City for the 2004 Olympics. 

As the mother of a severely handicapped child, Moore reflected that it was sometimes overwhelming for her to find a balance between work and family life. However, she found her work provided her with the strength to face her own personal challenges.

In the late 1980s, when her son was still young, she worked with her managers at Coca-Cola on a flexible schedule so she could accommodate her son’s needs. 

“The company understood what I was going through, and they wanted me to be here, so they worked with me,” said Moore.

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