R&D Food Safety Senior Scientist

This role may be located in Plano, Texas or Valhalla, NY

#Locations: Plano, Texas; Valhalla, NY

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.

Our employees drive our culture. No two days are the same; we’re dynamic and full of passionate teams embracing new ideas through our collaborative spirit. At PepsiCo, what makes you unique, makes us better!

This Food Safety Sr. Scientist is accountable for ensuring that required food safety/micro expertise is provided in support of R&D specification creation/update especially for portfolio for the future and portfolio transformation for PFNA. This role will apply technical expertise and coordinate with cross-functional discipline approvers and ingredient suppliers as required, to develop fit-for-purpose ingredient specifications, maintain existing specifications and supplier relationships, and manage tracking and uploading into relevant systems. This role also supports document/data maintenance for PepsiCo program related to specifications.

• Conduct food safety assessments and add required food safety and micro parameters to ingredient specifications in system.
• Serve as point of contact with specification team on food safety and micro discussions during supplier alignment process.
• Maintain and foster relationships with in-market R&D spec teams, and external suppliers.
• Review supplier questionnaire, collect required documentation, and communicate with supplier to address any outstanding questions.
• Maintain and update existing specs to ensure compliance with standards.
• Upload all paperwork (e.g., supplier site approval) and materials qualifications into Specification System/ Document Management System and track workflow.
• Ensure all requests are processed, documented, and delivered within defined project timeline.
• Assess the content of ingredient specifications with respect to material class, sub class, food safety parameters, test methods, targets, limits, end use and processing.
• Work with the Food Safety subject matter experts, for example Food Safety Microbiologist, to ensure adequacy, accuracy, and consistency of all food safety aspects to the specification.
• Work closely with FS team to support NA FS documentation maintenance related to Food Safety Specification including Pathogen Sensitive Ingredient Program, Upon Request Program, claim substantiation such as gluten free and made in a peanut free facility.
• Investigate out of specification and supplier performance issues related to food safety and provide correction and corrective actions.
• Provide SME support on regulatory inspection related to ingredient food safety risk assessment.
• ~20% travel

Compensation and Benefits:

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $76,400 - $127,850.
• 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 8% 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.

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in food science, Food Chemistry, Microbiology, or equivalent relevant experience required.
• BS with 3-4 years experience, MS with 1-2 years experience, or PhD with 0-1 years food/bev industry experience required
• Industry experience preferred
• Advanced understanding of food safety concepts and good working knowledge of food microbiology, food allergens, physical and chemical hazards.
• Solid understanding of basic food processing and the related food safety and quality programs. Low moisture foods experience is a plus.
• Ability to manage time effectively across multiple priorities and projects requiring a high degree of organizational and communication skills to ensure requests are delivered in a timely manner.
• Exceptional data organizational and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to interpret and access complex technical information and issues and seek alignment towards workable solutions.
• Collaborative skills and strong interest in working with others across time zones; Ability to build relationships and work closely with both internal and external partners.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite. PowerBI experience is a plus.
• Prior experience of working in a global shared services environment and / or specifications management space preferred.
• HACCP and/or PCQI certification is a plus.
• Supplier audit experience is 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 .

Please view our Pay Transparency Statement