R&D Associate Scientist

Overview As a Product Development Associate Scientist with PepsiCo you will have unique opportunities to participate in the development of a diverse portfolio of products in the non‑sparkling, Holistic Nutrition category. The team translates strategic market objectives into new products and processes, optimizes designs per consumer response and selects winning ideas for commercialization. Additional responsibilities will be recognizing specific product‑related opportunities to maximize market performance of existing brands and applying solid project management skills to ensure clear communication of project scope, timing, and success criteria in collaboration with cross‑functional partners (GSSI, PGCS, Marketing, SCPI, Supply Chain). Successful candidates thrive in an environment of fast‑paced, consumer‑driven product development and will use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and analysis of food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute. Responsibilities Perform all activities in a safe manner and within the context of all PepsiCo safety protocols, maintaining GMP in laboratory, pilot plant, and factory settings Conduct and document product development lab work, including development of bench top prototypes, implementation and maintenance of stability testing, and pilot plant/commercial scale‑up trials Accurately prepare laboratory beverages and concentrates and submit samples for analytical and sensory evaluation Create and ensure accuracy of product specification documents Possess ability to conduct experiments, analyze data and make recommendations to address technical challenges Good communication skills, both verbal and written, including timely and accurate documentation of work in laboratory notebooks and active communication of status of research Demonstrate ability to understand application of consumer research and experimental design to project objectives Participate as an active member of cross‑functional business teams comprised of individuals from a variety of disciplines, including Marketing, Supply Chain, Engineering, and others Partner with R&D disciplines such as Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Nutrition, and Regulatory to ensure a robust, safe and legal product design Partner externally to source ingredients and leverage vendor expertise Compensation and Benefits The expected compensation range for this position is between $73,600 - $123,150. Location, confirmed job‑related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting actual starting salary. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process. Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement. In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan. Qualifications Education & Experience B.S. in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related discipline Outstanding teamwork, communication, and leadership skills Ability to analyze and communicate implications of emerging consumer trends Proven track record in maintaining good working relationships with business partners Occasional flexibility in working hours to setup and complete focus groups, product expos, pilot plant scaleups, or plant trials that may extend past typical working hours Critical Competencies The successful candidate will demonstrate the following skills: Intellectual curiosity and ability to think critically & analytically Strong communication and presentation skills (verbal and written) Ability to provide thought leadership on tactical aspects of projects Ability to self‑initiate and manage multiple project tasks independently to meet business objectives and to support the individuals of the workgroup Outstanding time management, team working and communication skills Ability to analyze and communicate implications of experimental results Strong commitment to working safely and maintaining a safe work environment Ability to flawlessly execute laboratory bench work and pilot‑plant scale‑ups Must be well‑organized, capture work details and learning and highlight any unexpected learning Must possess ability to work successfully in cross‑functional teams Computer Skills: MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, SharePoint, Teams, Outlook, One Note; Project a plus) Percent Travel: 10-15% (domestic & international) EEO Statement Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901-4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity / Age If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy. Please view our Pay Transparency Statement. #J-18808-Ljbffr PepsiCo Deutschland GmbH