PepsiCo

Pilot Plant Operations Manager - R&D

PepsiCo • $110K — $185K *
Food & Beverages
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree preferred in engineering disciplines
  • At least 7 years' leadership experience in food/consumer goods manufacturing
  • Proven capability to lead multifunctional teams of 20+ people
  • Recognized Health and Safety qualification (IOSH/NEBOSH/OSHA)
  • Food Safety qualified to HACCP level 3 or higher, with experience in AIB/BRC/FSSC22000

Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic and operational leadership for the R&D Pilot Plant
  • Define and execute the long-term vision and capability roadmap
  • Ensure overall site performance across various metrics
  • Champion a world-class safety culture and compliance programs
  • Manage the site's Food Safety and Quality Management Systems
  • Oversee the operating budget and resource allocation
  • Lead and develop a high-performing organization
  • Collaborate across Global Process Centers to optimize resources

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, and Vision
  • Paid time off including parental leave, vacation, and sick leave
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Insurance options such as Life and Disability
  • Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
  • Annual performance-based bonus opportunity
Full Job Description
Overview

The Technology Process Center (TPC) is PepsiCo Foods Core R&D pilot plant, providing pilot-scale capabilities across multiple food platforms. As a critical link between research, development, and commercialization, TPC enables the testing, scaling, and validation of products, processes, and technologies that support PepsiCo's innovation agenda.

The TPC Pilot Plant Manager leads across all functions, including operations, maintenance, safety, food safety, quality, warehouse, and additional support teams. They are accountable for the day-to-day performance of the facility, ensuring safe operations, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and delivery of business commitments. The role also leads the development of the site's long-term capabilities, resources, and organizational plans to support future business and R&D priorities.

Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic and operational leadership for the R&D Pilot Plant, ensuring the site enables PepsiCo's innovation, productivity, capability, and commercialization agenda through safe, efficient, and effective delivery of R&D test runs and programs.
  • Define and execute the long-term vision, operating strategy, and capability roadmap, including resource planning, organizational capability, infrastructure readiness, and operational excellence to meet future business needs.
  • Accountable for overall site performance, including safety, quality, food safety, service, talent, productivity, financial stewardship, and continuous improvement.
  • Champion a world-class safety culture by providing leadership over Environmental, Health, and Safety programs, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and PepsiCo standards.
  • Own the site's Food Safety and Quality Management Systems, including FSSC22000 implementation and sustainment, ensuring robust governance, regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and continuous improvement.
  • Accountable for site's operating budget, including labor, maintenance, contract services, utilities, ingredients, and operating expenses, ensuring effective resource allocation, financial discipline, and delivery of business objectives.
  • Lead and develop a high-performing organization by driving talent management, succession planning, leadership development, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness across all site functions.
  • Collaborate across the Global Process Centers to drive standardization, leverage best practices, optimize resources, and accelerate capability deployment.
  • Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders to ensure the delivers against current and future R&D needs


Compensation and Benefits:
  • The expected compensation range for this position is between $110,700 - $185,250.
  • 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 12% 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.


Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree preference for engineering disciplines
  • Minimum 7 years' leadership experience in a Food/Consumer Goods manufacturing environment with demonstrated capability to lead multifunctional teams (operations, maintenance, safety, food safety) of a minimum of 20 people
  • Recognized Health and Safety qualification such as IOSH / NEBOSH / OSHA, with good understanding of Health and Safety (Equipment Safety (MESS), LOTO, Process Safety, Risk Assessments)
  • Food Safety, qualified to HACCP level 3 or higher, experience with either AIB, BRC, FSSC22,000
  • This position is limited to persons with indefinite right to work in the United States


Leadership and Management Competencies:

  • Operates with a high degree of autonomy, exercising sound judgment and making effective decisions that balance immediate operational needs with long-term business priorities.
  • Inspires and aligns teams around a clear vision, building commitment, accountability, and focus on delivering results.
  • Leads through influence and hands-on engagement, building trust across all levels of the organization and fostering a strong performance, safety, and people-first culture.
  • Effectively navigates complexity, uncertainty, competing priorities, and organizational change while maintaining momentum and delivering business outcomes.
  • Demonstrates strong leadership and interpersonal skills, effectively managing conflict, driving collaboration, and aligning diverse perspectives toward a common path forward.
  • Communicates clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with the ability to engage front-line employees, technical teams, and senior leaders.
  • Creates an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives, promotes mutual respect, and enables individuals and teams to perform at their best.


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About PepsiCo

PepsiCo Careers

Joining PepsiCo's global team offers more than just a chance to excel in your career; it's an opportunity to be part of a dynamic and diverse environment where innovation thrives. Work You’ll Do At PepsiCo, we are committed to producing great leaders and fostering a culture of innovation. Our team is dedicated to empowering professionals to master their career paths with PepsiCo. As a leader in the food and beverage industry, we offer unique job opportunities that intersect with cutting-edge technology and market leadership. Lead with Unique Opportunities PepsiCo stands at the forefront of the industry, not only in terms of product quality but also in our approach to leadership and professional growth. We offer a variety of employment paths, including full-time positions, internships, and leadership training programs that are designed to foster diversity and accelerate career development. Work with a Global Team Collaborate with over 260,000 employees worldwide who are united in delivering joy not only to our consumers but also in driving innovation and growth within the company. PepsiCo’s commitment to global diversity and inclusive culture makes it a prime environment for professional development and networking. Introducing PepsiCo’s Professional Growth and Development Programs We are committed to nurturing talent through comprehensive training programs and robust benefits that support both personal and professional growth. Our programs are tailored to help employees at every level of their career to advance and succeed. Innovate and Lead Join the largest team of food and beverage industry experts—dedicated professionals at the intersection of consumer needs, innovative technology, and sustainable practices. Deliver targeted solutions and drive industry leadership through a depth and breadth of knowledge and innovation that’s second to none. Be Part of a Great Team Engage in meaningful work that impacts millions of lives worldwide. At PepsiCo, you’ll harness the power of our global resources and the creativity of our people to improve the way the world accesses the foods and beverages it loves. Future-Proof Your Career With PepsiCo, the sky is the limit when it comes to where your ambition can take you. We offer unmatched opportunities for career advancement along with the training, internship programs, and certification support needed to thrive in your professional journey. Explore Discover how PepsiCo is leading the way in digital innovation and sustainable practices while maintaining a steadfast focus on diversity and employee well-being. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search for open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players ready to take their career to the next level. SEARCH PEPSICO JOBS Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at PepsiCo.
Learn more about PepsiCo
Size
309,000 employees
Market Cap
$250.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$7.1 billion
Founded
1965
5 Year Trend
+4.8%
Revenue
$70.3 billion
NASDAQ

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