R&D Prod Dev Assoc Scientist

Pepsi Lipton is a Joint Venture formed between PepsiCo and Unilever operating globally in the ready-to-drink Tea segment. Our global business is worth almost 4.0 billion USD today and consists of three well-established brands: Lipton, Brisk and Pure Leaf. Our vision is to expand our global leadership and enter new benefit areas with current and additional brands. This is a pivotal moment for the Joint Venture as it looks to re-ignite iced tea’s role as the better-for-you tasty refreshment and grow ahead of beverages. This role will support the Pepsi Lipton Global R&D team developing refresh, reframe and breakthrough innovation for North America, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific markets.

We have an established global R&D function based in two centers: Colworth UK, and Valhalla US. The center at Valhalla is the primary hub for the North American and LATAM businesses while Colworth is the primary hub from where the R&D team is focused on the European and AMEA businesses. This role will be based in the Valhalla, NY location.

A role in Pepsi Lipton is a unique experience in which to develop and add value to your career. Pepsi Lipton, although a Joint Venture between Unilever and PepsiCo, operates as a company and has its own Board of Directors. Whilst we have the full backing and support of our two parent companies, our entrepreneurial set up gives us real autonomy. Our roles are broad, our responsibilities big and our experiences even bigger. We have high visibility and great exposure – to senior leadership and to talented colleagues all over the world. It means we need to be impactful, smart influencers. To support our ambitious growth agenda, we are looking for a passionate R&D product developer to drive functional excellence in product and process design for PLNA’s tea portfolio.

• Design and carry out all lab-based work linked to assigned projects and activities, 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
• Initiate and maintain documentation of trial reports, experimental write ups, analytical testing, stability testing, handover documents and presentation cascades
• Communicate timely status of project progress to manager and cross functional team
• Create and ensure accuracy of product specification documents
• Conduct experiments, analyze data and make recommendations to address technical challenges
• 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
• Provision of ingredients and key documentation for consumer tests and scale ups. Liaison with pilot plant for production of larger scale quantities.
• Lead logistics of prototype shipments to consumer test locations, stakeholders, team members event locations etc.
• Responsible for ensuring selected formulations are submitted for relevant product performance studies, collating results & presenting back
• Lead the provision of all relevant product related documentation linked to assigned project or requests
• Occasional flexibility in working hours to set up and complete focus groups, product expos, pilot plant scaleups, or plant trials that may extend past typical working hours
• Perform all activities in a safe manner and within the context of all PepsiCo and Unilever safety protocols, maintaining GMP in laboratory, pilot plant, and factory settings. Ensure competent training & operation of all relevant equipment & processes.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant Code of Business Principles, site, and company policies.

Percent Travel: 10-15% (domestic & international)

Compensation and Benefits:

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $70,700 - $118,400.
• 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.

• 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

Critical Competencies:

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following skills:

• Intellectual curiosity and ability to think critically & analytically
• Passion to work in a Practical & lab-based setting
• Outstanding time management, team working and communication skills
• Must be well-organized, capture work details and learning and highlight any unexpected learning
• Ability to flawlessly execute laboratory bench work and pilot-plant scale-ups
• Ability to self-initiate and manage multiple project tasks independently to meet business objectives and to support the individuals of the workgroup
• Ability to provide thought leadership on tactical aspects of projects
• Ability to analyze and communicate implications of experimental results
• Strong commitment to working safely and maintaining a safe work environment
• 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)

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 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

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 .

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