R&D Food Safety Manager - Aseptic and Dairy Innovation

Overview

This role may be located in Valhalla, NY or Chicago, IL or Plano, TX

#Locations: Valhalla, NY; Chicago, IL; Plano, Texas

NY or Chicago preferred locations

PepsiCo is a global food and beverage leader operating in more than 200 countries and territories with a product portfolio that includes 22 world-famous, billion-dollar brands. From Gatorade to Quaker, LIFEWTR to Lay's, we make hundreds of enjoyable foods and beverages that are loved throughout the world.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to be the global leader in convenient foods and beverages by Winning with Purpose. "Winning with Purpose" reflects our ambition to win sustainably in the marketplace and embed purpose into all aspects of the business.

• Developing and managing one direct report.
• Leading product / process and package qualifications for Low Acid Aseptic and High Acid Aseptic beverage platforms.
• Assessing ingredients and completing HACCP Transfer Documents.
• Writing / maintaining platform manufacturing control plans (MCPs).
• Writing protocols and overseeing new product qualifications.
• Leading new packaging qualifications using AQLs and RQLs.
• Writing protocols and overseeing new product commercial sterility runs.
• Developing and delivering subject matter expertise across all existing and new beverage platforms such as bottled water, powders, carbonated cold fill, still beverages, fountain, tunnel pasteurize, hot fill, high acid aseptic ESL, low acid aseptic ESL, and retorted beverages.
• Using the 3rd Party Manufacturing Standard to assess and approve 3PM facilities.
• Applying the 3rd Party Manufacturing Tier Approach to qualify new production lines for innovation.
• Creating and driving the CAPA for new product and package innovation at our 3rd Party Manufacturers.
• Using quality tools such as FMEA, checklists, cause and effect diagrams, root cause analysis, Pareto analysis, control charts, histograms and process capability matrices to drive improvement.
• Collaborating with Food Safety Center of Excellence and Supply Chain at new 3PMs for Pathogen Environmental Monitoring (PEM) and Allergen Validation.
• Up to 60% travel

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $106,400 - $178,100.
• 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.
• Bonus based on performance and eligibility target payout is 12% of annual salary paid out annually.
• 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.

• B.S. in Engineering, Food Science, Packaging or related discipline or equivalent.
• Aseptic and/or dairy experience/expertise required
• 7+ years of experience in the food industry (preferred), or other consumer goods company.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to influence with integrity through persuasive communication to win support at more senior levels within R&D, Global Procurement and Supply Chain, and to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders from different levels, backgrounds and cultures.
• Claims knowledge (non-GMO, Organic, Kosher, Halal, Fair Trade, Rain Forest, NSF - Certified for Sport).
• Previous experience desirable in FMCG R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Packaging, Auditing, Product/Packaging, Microbiology or technology development roles.
• PCQI certified.
• HACCP certified.
• GFSI knowledge.
• ASQ: CQA, CMQ/OE or CQE preferred.
• Up to 60% travel associated with the role so flexibility to travel at short notice is desirable.
• Strong communication skills: having the ability to clearly communicate to a wide audience what is needed and when it is needed by and the ability to follow up.
• Highly proficient presentation skills: ability to create and deliver effective PowerPoint presentations to a variety of audiences.
• Willingness to work in a dynamic environment while leading and delivering projects to meet timelines.
• High degree of attention to detail, highly numerate and computer literate (Microsoft Office).
• Proficiency desirable in Technical Stage Gate, MyInnovation, Product Vision (PV5.0 & 5.2), Document Management (DM).
• Ability to Audit / Risk Assess.
• Self-starter, self-motivating: able to balance competing priorities without losing momentum.
• Good understanding and appreciation of the broader business environment and application of technical and commercial knowledge during project execution.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret complex data and distil into meaningful information.
• Fosters a positive, inclusive work environment where people feel respected and valued for their contributions. Ability to work in a diverse organization to accomplish goals.