(Bloomberg) -- Coca-Cola Co. announced changes to its C-suite, including a new chief operating officer.

Brian Smith, who has been with the company for more than 20 years, will take over the role as of Jan. 1 -- potentially putting him in line for Coca-Cola’s top post. The appointment will allow Chief Executive Officer James Quincey, who previously served as the top operating officer before taking over the top role, to focus on long-term strategic direction, Coca-Cola said in a statement.

The company also said John Murphy, who heads the Asia Pacific division, will take over as chief financial officer on March 16 after the retirement of Kathy Waller.

To contact the reporter on this story: Craig Giammona in New York at cgiammona@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Anne Riley Moffat at ariley17@bloomberg.net, Jonathan Roeder

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