R&D Prod Dev Sr Director

Overview

The PepsiCo R&D Foods Category is a fast-paced and multi-faceted organization delivering innovation, productivity, TBS and technical capabilities to enable future growth opportunities. To sustain aggressive growth targets over the long term, the R&D organization will be undergoing transformational changes to business processes and systems, while evolving into a pep+ Food Company.

This role is designed for a R&D Sr. Director, reporting to the PFNA R&D Vice President, and will be responsible for leading the redesigned consumer need category Dips, Meals and Away from Home (AFH).

This role will lead, motivate and inspire a team of 25+ scientists, engineers and technicians and will partner closely with our PFNA Dips, Meals and Away from Home (AFH) category business partners to define the overall strategy and execute AOP programs related to Innovation, Productivity and Brand Stewardship. In addition, this role will closely collaborate with our R&D Foods Functional and Platform teams to define technical capability and competency requirements within R&D to deliver breakthrough/reframe/refresh innovation. This is a highly collaborative and strategic role, requiring thought leadership, build talent and the ability to embrace & influence change in an ambiguous environment.

• Partner with Dips, Meals and Away from Home (AFH) brand team to build an Innovation strategy over 3-5 years across multiple meal categories such as Dips & Sauces, Oatmeal, Rice/Pasta, Pancakes and Grits & Grains.
• Culinary: Help to build and define the long-term opportunity for food experiences (meal occasions+) ambition, strategy, and sequencing for PFNA. Lead the creation of PFNA R&D Culinary strategy to support AFH Innovation. Collaborate and partner with R&D Function team, PFNA Brand/Sales team to build capabilities to realize 3 strategic pillars - Food Foundations (establishing a foundational culture, category and brand framing that anchors our brands in local food culture and rituals), Food and Brand Experiences (build ecosystems of food and brand immersive experiences), Food Adjacencies (extend into new meal adjacencies.
• Drive effective partnerships within R&D, Procurement, Growth Office, Brand Marketing and Supply chain to drive the Meals & Culinary agenda.
• Ensure R&D approaches are deployed, risks and issues are managed and mitigated, and an approach of post implementation continuous improvement is embedded for all programs.
• Ensure alignment, development and execution of all AOP product development, productivity and brand stewardship initiatives, timeline, budget allocation and resource requirements.
• Inspires organization and builds technical capability and collaboration across R&D sites.
• Talent strategy & development including coaching R&D leaders and developers.
• Ensure all projects follow Stage Gate: Partner collaboratively with TDC, LS and other R&D functions to drive the R&D category agenda, ensure proper R&D wiring across key functions within R&D as well as technical partners, i.e., Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, etc.
• Interact with stakeholders across R&D and global cross-functions, such as Global Commercialization, Supply Chain, Technical Insights, Digital Solutions and Compliance (TDC), working towards a common objective of enabling process efficiencies and delivering speed and agility in the innovation agenda.
• Influence the Meal agenda through thought leadership, building strong relationships with cross-functional partners, demonstrating org savvy and understanding the big picture / interdependencies within critical R&D processes, systems and the business.

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $151,200 - $300,000.
• 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 30% of annual salary paid out annually.
  and an additional target payout of 15% of annual salary is paid out over 3 years following the end of the performance period.
• Long term incentive equity may be awarded based on eligibility and performance.
• 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.
  • A company car and reimbursed mileage.

• Graduate in Food Science, Engineering or related discipline or equivalent, BS degree in Food Science, Engineering, or related Technical Field
• 20+ years R&D experience, background, or training in Product Development, Food Processing & Packaging (experience in thermally processed food a plus).
• Ability to effectively synthesize strategic skills and strategy into actionable agendas to build innovation pipeline.
• Experience in FMCG R&D, product or technology development, or Quality roles. Awareness of Nutrition Science & Regulations (experience in these areas a plus).
• Advanced level of executive communication skills to influence PFNA Sector and Global R&D organization at all levels.
• Strives for high standards, seeks innovative solutions, drives continuous improvement of products and processes and demonstrates a high degree of attention to detail.
• Deep understanding of Food Science, Formulation, & Product claims.
• Strong project management skills to effectively drive a complex project portfolio across different markets.
• Strong presentation skills (written & verbal) and meeting facilitation skills.
• Strong analytical skills. Able to organize and analyse complex data to make clear technical recommendations.
• Understanding of both internal and external markets, functional excellence-- "knowing the business".
• Ability to focus on productivity ideas with strong anticipation of issues, risk management skills and attention to detail.