Coca-Cola HBC Receives Two Honors at the Employer of Choice Awards

The company won Gold for its Employer Branding Strategy and Bronze for its Coke Internship and BSO Internship programmes.

Coca-Cola HBC received two distinctions at this year's Employer of Choice Awards, winning Gold in the Employer Brand Strategy category and Bronze in the Internship Programme category. During the seventh edition of the awards, an international jury of more than 40 experts from over 20 countries recognized companies in Bulgaria that implement sustainable and innovative practices in people management, employer branding, and talent acquisition.

"These awards are yet another recognition of our teams' consistent efforts to create an environment where people can grow, learn, and reach their full potential. For us, employer branding is a daily commitment - to our colleagues, young talent, and the communities where we operate," said Denitsa Boneva, Employer Brand & Culture Programs Manager at Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria, commenting on the recognition. "We are delighted that this approach continues to deliver results, and we will keep investing in initiatives that create real value for both people and the business," added Yoana Djerassi, Employer Branding Expert at Coca-Cola HBC's Business Services Organisation (BSO), during the award ceremony.

The Gold award recognized Coca-Cola HBC's Employer Branding strategy in Bulgaria, which is built on a long-term vision for attracting, developing, and engaging talent. The strategy brings together the company's initiatives in professional development, employee wellbeing, and creating a workplace that fosters belonging, collaboration, and high performance. At its core are Coca-Cola HBC's employer value propositions - "We Play to Grow and Win. Do You?" for the Bulgarian business and "Excel With Us" for the company's Business Services Organisation - both of which showcase the culture and career opportunities the company offers. The strategy is implemented through partnerships with universities and educational organisations, learning and development programmes, employee wellbeing initiatives, volunteering activities, and projects that create a positive impact on society.

A key element of the approach is the active involvement of employees as mentors, guest lecturers, and employer brand ambassadors. Another important pillar is the #YouthEmpowered programme, which since its launch in 2017 has reached more than 36,000 young people in Bulgaria, helping them develop essential skills and prepare for successful careers.

The Bronze award in the Internship Programme category recognizes the Coke Internship and BSO Internship programmes, which have established themselves as a successful model for attracting and developing young talent. The programmes provide students and young professionals with the opportunity to work on real business projects, become part of Coca-Cola HBC's teams in Bulgaria from day one, and develop their skills with the support of experienced mentors.

The programmes combine hands-on experience, structured learning, and professional development opportunities across a wide range of business functions - from sales, marketing, and logistics to finance, manufacturing, and business services. This approach delivers tangible results: more than 60% of interns over the past three years have continued their careers with Coca-Cola HBC in Bulgaria, making the internship programmes one of the company's most successful channels for attracting future talent.

The Employer of Choice Awards recognition adds to a series of accolades the company has received since the beginning of the year. These include the Top Employer certification for the fourth consecutive year, first place for Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria in the Employer Branding Strategy category and second place in Innovation in Talent Management at the Employer Branding Awards 2026, recognition for employees' commitment to social causes at the Responsible Company – Responsible Employees Awards, the Investor in Society award at the Annual Responsible Business Awards organised by the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum (BBLF), the HR Team of the Year award presented by the Bulgarian Association for People Management (BAPM), as well as two Gold awards at the PROGRESSIVE AWARDS 2026. Together, these recognitions reaffirm the company's consistent commitment to people development, employer branding, and creating a sustainable positive impact on society.