PepsiCo

Senior Director - Scientific Affairs, North America & Latam

PepsiCo • $157K — $312K *
Valhalla, NY 10595In-Person
Food & Beverages
8 - 10 years of experience
Yesterday
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • PhD in Toxicology or a related discipline preferred; Master's with significant experience may be considered.
  • 10+ years of senior experience in toxicology and risk assessment within food, beverage, or consumer products.
  • Recognized expertise in toxicological risk assessment, exposure assessment, and evolving paradigms.
  • Proven ability to influence stakeholders through trade associations and scientific forums.
  • Strong networking skills with industry, government, and academic experts.
  • Experience with safety assessments of ingredients and contaminants.
  • Exceptional communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Comprehensive understanding of regulatory frameworks and risk management approaches.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the senior toxicology expert for North America and LATAM with guidance on safety and risk.
  • Lead scientific affairs and advocacy, translating toxicology positions into influential messages.
  • Develop strategies to enable innovation while ensuring consumer safety and regulatory compliance.
  • Deliver post-market support, providing timely scientific assessments for issue management.
  • Shape and execute international scientific affairs strategies, anticipating emerging issues.
  • Monitor scientific developments in toxicology and lead relevant assessment programs.
  • Coach and mentor team members to strengthen toxicology capabilities and communication skills.
  • Contribute to the global Scientific Affairs strategy, integrating toxicology expertise with R&D priorities.

Benefits

  • Bonus potential tied to performance, with a target payout of 30% of salary annually and 15% over three years.
  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and disability plans.
  • Paid time off policy including vacation and parental leave.
  • Possible car allowance for job-related travel.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for additional support.
  • Defined Contribution Retirement Plan matching contributions for long-term savings.
Full Job Description
Responsibilities

  • Serve as the senior toxicology expert for North America and LATAM, providing authoritative, science-based guidance on ingredient, packaging, contaminant, pesticide, and product safety, including expert recommendations on suitability, risk characterization, and emerging risk mitigation.
  • Lead external scientific affairs and advocacy strategies across the Americas, translating technical toxicology positions into clear, credible, and influential messages for industry, regulatory, academic, NGO, and other external stakeholders.
  • Develop scientific strategies that enable innovation with new ingredients and technologies while ensuring consumer safety, regulatory readiness, and defensible toxicological risk assessment positions.
  • Deliver post-market support on matters relating to ingredient and product safety, including rapid, balanced, and business-relevant scientific assessments for issue management.
  • Partner with regional and global teams to shape and execute international scientific affairs strategies, including leading horizon scanning efforts to anticipate emerging scientific, regulatory, policy, and stakeholder issues and coordinate proactive responses.
  • Actively monitor new scientific developments in toxicological risk assessment directly and through the team. Lead literature monitoring and assessment programs that provide timely, relevant, and actionable positions to senior leadership.
  • Coach, mentor, and elevate the team by strengthening technical toxicology capability, external engagement skills, and the ability to communicate complex science clearly to diverse audiences.
  • As a senior member of the global Scientific Affairs team, help shape, evolve, and deliver the functional strategy, ensuring toxicology expertise is integrated into R&D priorities, innovation decisions, risk management, and external advocacy.

Compensation and Benefits:
  • The expected compensation range for this position is between $157,200 - $312,000.
  • 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 30% of annual salary paid out annually and an additional target payout of 15% of annual salary is paid out over 3 years following the end of the performance period.
  • Long term incentive equity may be awarded based on eligibility and performance.
  • 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.
  • Car allowance.


Qualifications

  • PhD in Toxicology or a closely related discipline preferred; Master's degree with significant relevant experience may be considered.
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressively senior experience applying toxicology and risk assessment in the food, beverage, flavor, ingredient, consumer products, or related industry.
  • Recognized technical expertise in toxicological risk assessment, including current and evolving risk assessment paradigms, weight-of-evidence approaches, exposure assessment, and the ability to conduct, interpret, defend, and coach others on risk assessments.
  • Represent the company in external forums with technical credibility. Demonstrated ability to influence through trade associations, scientific bodies, and external stakeholder forums, with a track record of credible scientific advocacy and coalition building.
  • Strong ability to build and sustain trusted networks with industry counterparts, government authorities, academic experts, NGOs, and other key opinion leaders.
  • Specific experience with safety assessment of ingredients, food contact materials, contaminants, pesticides, and other relevant product safety topics.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex toxicology and risk assessment concepts into clear, compelling messages for non-technical audiences, senior executives, regulators, and external stakeholders.
  • In-depth understanding of relevant regulatory frameworks for risk assessment, product safety, and substantiation of science-based positions.
  • Understanding of US federal and state risk management approaches; comparable international experience is a plus.
  • Comprehensive awareness of the external scientific, regulatory, policy, and political environment related to food and chemical safety, with the judgment to anticipate emerging issues and position the company effectively.


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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
Food & Beverages
Net Income
$7.1 billion
Founded
1965
5 Year Trend
+4.8%
Revenue
$70.3 billion
NASDAQ
PEP
* Ladders Estimates

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