Product Development Associate Scientist - poppi

PepsiCo • Austin, TX

7h • Onsite

About The Position

Join poppi’s R&D team that’s reclaiming soda one mouthwatering drop at a time. Refreshing and juicy without the unnecessary sugar, it’s time to love soda again! We’re a passionate group of people dedicated to shaking up the soda scene for good, one happy gut at a time- putting the fun back into functional with our delicious, better-for-you prebiotic soda line. This role will be based out of poppi R&D lab in Austin, TX. The Product Development Associate Scientist has responsibility for helping to support poppi’s strategic R&D initiatives, including continuous improvements in sensory, scalability, cost, technical advancements, and functional efficacy. This role will assist R&D scientists and managers with new product ideation and concept development, as well as troubleshooting technical product issues. The ideal candidate must provide the necessary skill set, urgency, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure the project or task at hand can move forward effectively towards the end goal.

Requirements

• B.S. in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related discipline
• Outstanding teamwork and communication skills
• Quick learning, able to grasp the basics of the science of beverage manufacturing
• Strategic and data-driven approach to developing best-in-class products
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to analyze and communicate implications of emerging consumer trends
• Proven track record in maintaining good working relationships with business partners

Responsibilities

• Support R&D scientists with daily tasks 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, corrosivity, 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 the manager and the 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. Assist in shelf-life testing and oxidation studies
• 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
• Manage the incoming samples log which includes unpacking samples and sending boxes out
• 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 poppi 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.
• Positively add to and harness the progressive culture that has already been developed.

Benefits

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $66,900 - $111,950.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees