R&D Associate Principal Scientist – Foods Specification Team

PepsiCo • Plano, TX

16h • $89,000 - $149,000

About The Position

Ideal experience includes R&D, Food Safety, or Quality; however, we are also open to candidates with backgrounds in Supply Chain, Operations, or Engineering.
The PFNA R&D Operational Excellence Specification Team oversees a connected digital ecosystem that drives change and enables resource-efficient innovation cycles and end to end traceability to deliver consumer-centric insights for critical business decisions.

The R&D Associate Principal Scientist will lead ingredient specification operations across Quaker and Frito-Lay in both the U.S. and Canada, upholding Pepsico global ingredient standards while seamlessly integrating R&D business processes. This role will provide exposure and hands on experience delivering end-to-end specification management as part of commercialization execution.
This role applies strong food science principles and collaborates effectively with cross-functional partners—including Procurement, Supply Chain, Food Safety, Regulatory, external suppliers, and product developers—to build clear, timebound plans for ingredient specification programs. The role also manages dynamic, fast-paced timelines and deliverables by prioritizing tasks and coordinating closely with the MCC specification writing team.
The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of business processes, technical knowledge, and project management skills to develop, maintain, and track project workplans and timelines throughout specification lifecycle.

Requirements

• BS/MS/PhD Degree in Food Science or Food Engineering or related field
• BS with 5+ years’, MS with 3-4+ years', or PhD with 2-3+ years' experience in R&D or manufacturing/production environment in foods industry
• Experience in product or process development /commercialization/optimization and/or productivity.
• Demonstrated capability to effectively manage complex or multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to embrace change and flexibility to prioritize balancing sense of urgency with the need to deliver quality results.
• Critical thinker with demonstrated understanding of how to incorporate business needs into technical decisions. Ability to collate and interpret multiple sources/formats of technical information, escalate issues, and seek alignment towards workable solutions.
• Collaborative team player with strong leadership interpersonal skills and proven ability to work with cross-functional teams. Ability to work effectively in a matrix team structure, remote teams and working from home partners.
• Good communication skills – Able to simplify complexity and communicating in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to collate and interpret multiple sources/formats of technical information, escalate issues, and seek alignment towards workable solutions.
• Project management skills: Systems management, KPI tracking, communication with cross functional partners.
• This position is limited to persons with indefinite right to work in the United States

Responsibilities

• Lead the PFNA ingredient specification process across Innovation, Productivity, Brand Stewardship, and portfolio transformation initiatives by developing strategic workstreams, defining resource requirements, and driving cross-functional alignment.
• Build and sustain strong cross-functional partnerships across R&D and non-R&D teams—including Procurement, Co-Manufacturing, Quality, SRA, and Legal—while maintaining direct engagement with ingredient suppliers and technical R&D disciplines. Collaborate closely with Food Safety, Quality, Regulatory, and subject matter experts to proactively assess, manage, and mitigate ingredient-related risks.
• Develop and support other junior members in the group to issue management and resolution, partner closely with MCC ingredient specification team to ensure consistency and efficiency in specification updates and Global standards compliance and understanding appropriate escalation channels.
• Demonstrate problem-solving mindset to ensure business continuity. Interpret and analyze data to deliver sound technical recommendations on ingredient specifications. Proactively identify and address gaps in system, process, ways of working and clearly communicating their implications for the business.
• Coordinate and deliver training sessions for product developers and cross-functional partners to ensure clear understanding and consistent application of the specification process.
• Lead and prioritize the activities of Ingredient Subject Matter Expert (SME) reviewers, ensuring timely and accurate specification reviews aligned with project needs.
• Assist in managing the Opex Spec Team’s budget, with a focus on tracking and optimizing spend related to external contractor support.
• Conduct final reviews and approvals of specifications by validating data quality and compliance with Global Ingredient standards.

Benefits

• Bonus based on performance and eligibility target payout is 10% of annual salary paid out annually.
• Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
• 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: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees