R&D Director

PepsiCo • Plano, TX

2d • $132,200 - $262,400

About The Position

This role is accountable for defining and delivering the global ingredient technology strategy that underpins PepsiCo’s multi-billion-dollar functional growth agenda in science platforms. As an enterprise leader, the role owns end-to-end value creation from scientific discovery through to scaled commercial application, including investment phasing, multi-generational solution trade-offs, and external ecosystem partnerships, including strategic joint development relationships. Operating as a critical node within the Science Platforms leadership team, this role is accountable for integrating Life Sciences, Ingredient Sciences, and regulatory science with Commercial strategy to translate emerging science into defensible, scalable platforms that drive enterprise growth, competitive advantage, and long-term capability build for consumer functional needs.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (MS or Ph.D.) in Food Science, Analytical, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline. A strong foundation in biological and chemical systems is essential.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in ingredient applications, food science, or related fields, with a demonstrated track record of driving innovation, from early-stage discovery through to commercialization, operating at the enterprise level, influencing senior executive decision-making.
• Proven ability to operate with entrepreneurial agility within a corporate setting—rapid prototyping, iterative development, and fast learning cycles. Comfortable evaluating and integrating external technologies to accelerate development.
• Deep understanding of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and scientific substantiation. Experience designing or managing clinical studies and interpreting scientific validation data is highly desirable.
• Demonstrates proficiency in managing and mentoring junior team members who contribute to the technical platform. Offers comprehensive technical guidance and strategic direction. Provides leadership focused on fostering career growth and advancing professional development.
• Demonstrates success in building and execute innovation strategies that align with long-term business objectives shaping cross-sector R&D teams and local business strategies. Ability to think across systems and spot scalable opportunities in emerging science and technology.
• Strong leadership and team development skills, with a passion for fostering cross-functional collaboration across technical, regulatory, and commercial functions. Experience leading geographically dispersed or matrixed teams is a plus.
• Proven ability to build, and manage relationships with academic institutions, startups, ingredient vendors, and research partners. Familiarity with co-development models is a strong advantage.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to tailor complex technical concepts to varied audiences, including senior executives, cross-functional peers, and external collaborators.
• Strong analytical thinking, scientific curiosity, and structured problem-solving skills. Able to navigate ambiguity and deliver solutions in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
• Enterprise mind-set – Balances global optimization vs local market delivery, making trade-offs that maximize enterprise value and growth opportunities.
• Entrepreneurial Agility – Combines scientific depth with a startup-like mindset to move quickly from discovery to prototyping and commercial validation.
• System Leadership - Leads across depth and breadth—deep technical authority combined with enterprise-wide integration and influence to build internal and external networks extending internal capabilities.
• Strategic Influence – Connects emerging technologies to business outcomes and articulates a compelling case for investment, experimentation, and scale.
• Bias for Scalable Innovation – Prioritizes ideas with a clear path to implementation, using pilot-ready frameworks and KPI-based assessments.

Nice To Haves

• Experience designing or managing clinical studies and interpreting scientific validation data is highly desirable.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed or matrixed teams is a plus.
• Familiarity with co-development models is a strong advantage.

Responsibilities

• Owns budget for science led functional platform and governs 1-3MM of platform spend annually. Defines CAPEX and OPEX needs for Functional programs to enable success.
• Lead the strategic planning and execution of technology platforms to deliver verified physiological benefits, ensuring intellectual property protection and multiple layers of competitive advantage.
• Develop clean label technology by using natural ingredients with ability for global compliance across food and beverage, meeting all chemical and physical specifications to ensure product stability, scalability, and superior taste.
• Extensive internal and external collaboration to generate robust technical solutions.
• Generate robust scientific evidence and conduct comprehensive product validation to substantiate specific health benefit claims.
• Establish and lead cross-functional initiatives to translate scientific advancements into commercially viable and consumer-relevant ingredient solutions.

Benefits

• 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: Director