Sensory & Consumer Experience Associate Principal Scientist - Front End Innovation

PepsiCo•Plano, TX

1d•$89,000 - $149,000

About The Position

As the Foundations team, we uncover human needs and turn ambiguity into clarity, building the foundations for consumer-relevant innovation. Primary responsibilities will be to conduct qualitative, fuzzy-front end sensory and consumer research in support of innovation product development and other human-centric research initiatives. The Foundations Sensory & Consumer Associate Principal Scientist will work independently with R&D, business teams and suppliers to design and conduct appropriate research to build learning and advance knowledge of product innovation to meet the business objectives. Specifically, will design front end research plans for the Transform Innovation and Global R&D teams, determine appropriate research methodologies, coordinate research, analyze and interpret qualitative results, provide technical and business-savvy recommendations, and communicate results orally, and written.

Requirements

BS, MS, or Ph.D.: Major in Food Science (thesis in Sensory), Sensory Science, Behavioral Science, Consumer Psychology, Anthropology, or related field
3-4+ years (with MS/PhD) or 5-7+ years (with BS) Consumer Research experience within a major consumer packaged goods company or research supplier.
Deep expertise in qualitative research fundamentals and their application in new and existing product innovation. Must be comfortable with high levels of research complexity and open-ended questions.
Creative problem solver and out-of-the-box thinker, able to think creatively & holistically.
Knowledge of design thinking principles and the ability to apply human-centered design methodologies.
Experience in leading multiple complex projects independently and managing competing priorities with agility.
Exceptional storytelling and communication skills—able to navigate through complexity and deliver engaging, impactful insights.
Comfortable navigating ambiguity, with a strong ability to synthesize diverse perspectives and cultural nuances.
Highly collaborative, flexible, and team-oriented, contributing to idea generation and fostering a culture of innovation.
This position is limited to persons with indefinite right to work in the United States

Nice To Haves

Masters/PhD preferred
Experience in global organization welcomed but not required.

Responsibilities

Develop and coordinate consumer-driven research plans in support of Foundational/Front-End Innovation to build deep empathy and ensure human needs are embedded in R&D’s decision-making process.
Apply a variety of qualitative methods (including but not limited to ethnographies, consumer co-creations, diary studies, interviews, etc.) to discover whitespace opportunities, explore propositions and inform early-stage innovation
Provide sound technical recommendations to enable R&D business decisions. Interpret qualitative data and translate insights into clear, compelling recommendations and roadmaps that influence product development and strategic decisions.
Develop research briefs, collaborating with research partners to ensure development of relevant consumer experiences.
Work in H2/H3 innovation spaces to ensure PepsiCo is a future ready organization, applying and developing forward-thinking approaches and capabilities to stay ahead of evolving consumer needs.
Curate and integrate consumer and category trends, uncovering emerging opportunities that challenge traditional thinking and inform project scope.
Analyze and integrate information from different sources in order to build holistic understanding of consumer behavior and provide robust project recommendations.
Advance R&D’s human-centric understanding by building capabilities, participating in pilot programs, and applying new methodologies to deepen consumer empathy and drive innovation.
10-15% Travel may be required for the role U.S. and/or International

Benefits

The expected compensation range for this position is between $89,000 - $149,000.
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 10% 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.

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