R&D Product Development Scientist Full Time NEW

We Are PepsiCo

PepsiCo is a leading name in North Africa’s food and beverage industry, where our products are enjoyed by consumers daily across the region. We offer a robust portfolio of beloved brands like PEPSI, SEVEN-UP, DORITOS, CHEETOS and CHIPSY, designed to cater to the tastes and preferences of consumers. With a focus on local sourcing, production, and distribution, PepsiCo provides essential support to local economies and partners closely with communities throughout the region.

Guiding Vision and Regional Impact

PepsiCo’s vision aligns with our global goal to be the Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with PepsiCo Positive (pep+). This strategic transformation is committed to sustainable growth by putting people and the planet at the heart of our operations. In North Africa, this includes initiatives in responsible sourcing, waste reduction, and water conservation. Our regional programs empower local talent, boost employment, and provide support for local agriculture, particularly through partnerships with farmers and suppliers.

Empowering Our People and Communities

Our dynamic teams drive the PepsiCo culture in North Africa, embracing diversity and collaboration to solve local challenges and create innovative products. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace, one where every individual feels valued and empowered to be themselves. This commitment extends beyond our employees to positively impact the communities we serve, striving for shared growth and a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

PepsiCo stands firmly behind our global commitment to diversity, equality, and human rights. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, ensuring a fair and welcoming workplace for all, regardless of age, gender, religion, disability, or any other characteristic. Our dedication to inclusion strengthens our workforce and helps drive our business forward, enriching both PepsiCo and the communities in North Africa.

The role scope will be that of a Product Developer, supporting Africa Frontier Markets projects in MENAPAK (Ethiopia and Nigeria) and Snack Franchise projects (Morocco and Zimbabwe), aligned to strategic business needs. Key focus areas include extrusion technical capabilities and potato technical capabilities. Product focus will remain primarily within snacks, with some knowledge of oats manufacturing required.

The purpose of the role is to ensure R&D remains at the forefront of Innovation, BCP (Business Continuity Planning), and Productivity agendas, working alongside extended R&D and Compliance teams, as well as key business partners from Marketing, Commercialisation, Procurement, Supply Chain, Insights, and Finance. The role also engages with external industry entities and relevant markets.

This role is intended to ensure that regional R&D can deliver on global and regional strategic business innovation initiatives. The associate will operate in a fully accountable management role, taking responsibility for leading key business requirements, the technical aspects of R&D projects, and for leading and mentoring technicians and interns, as required.

As the scope of the role includes East, West, North, and Southern Africa, travel to these countries will be required based on business unit needs and project requirements

Responsibilities

• Leverage a combination of functional and business expertise to develop the technical elements of winning consumer propositions that drive sustainable business growth and support the required BU Innovation Strategy. Accountable
• Leveraging expertise inside and outside the organisation to deliver product and process development. (where applicable) Executing
• Take full ownership and accountability of the technical activities with a strong focus on extrusion and potato chips technology leading to core capabilities and critical expertise. Accountable
• Project leadership to develop and execute new advancements in extrusion projects utilising solid technical project management tools and skills to ensure objectives are accomplished on time, to the agreed standards and within budget (where applicable). Accountable
• Managing, planning and execution of trials on manufacturing and pilot plant scale, including troubleshooting and the completion of relevant project documentation (Technical Stage Gate – TSG ). Accountable
• Deputise as required for the R&D Manager to represent R&D interest at key forums (e.g. PTM’s) Accountable
• Take accountability of identifying technical solutions for BU calendar activities. Accountable
• Manage raw material suppliers, to lead work programmes on behalf of PepsiCo. Executing
• Mobility is a must, required to conduct trials and line validation across Africa (currently Ethiopia, Nigeria and Zimbabwe). Accountable/Executing
• Regular contact with the R&D Manager. The role carries a high degree of autonomy to interface with cross-functional partners and external collaborators. Therefore, a high degree of individual decision making is required within product development and execution. Accountable
• Developing an understanding and demonstrating application of consumer product testing, sensory, analytical, etc to deliver superior products to the market and capture product intelligence. Executing
• Occasionally Project Manage BCP and Productivity initiatives as required by the Business Units. Accountable/Executing
• Define work programmes and project management of key project initiatives. Accountable/Executing
• Transform data and information into meaningful insights to drive innovation, BCP and Productivity. Accountable/Executing
• Derive Hypotheses and direct experimental design, testing and interpretation. Accountable/Executing
• Presentation of proposals and recommendations at Snr Management level. Accountable/Executing

Qualifications

• Very strong innovation skills are required, in particular through strong data analysis (incl. competitive intelligence, insights) and ability to ‘connect the dots’ from incomplete set of data and hypothesis.
• Proven R&D product development experience preferred.
• Experience in project management and stakeholder management.
• Proven and impactful records of successfully influencing their network (R&D organisation, Supply chain) to deliver successful innovation in Adjacent Categories.
• Experience in working with external interfaces (for this particular role mainly include strategic OEM’s, suppliers, academia and external technical consultants).
• Able to travel to African Countries (Ethiopia, Nigeria and Zibabwe), and have an understanding of how to work well with different cultures and diverse groups.