R&D Scientist

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R&D Scientist

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Job Description

Overview
We Are PepsiCo*
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $79 billion in net revenue in 2021, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes LAY’S ️, DORITOS ️, CHEETOS ️, GATORADE ️, PEPSI ️, QUAKER ️ and more. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with PepsiCo Positive (pep+). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people.
Our employees drive our culture. No two days are the same; we are dynamic and full of passionate teams that embrace new ideas through our collaborative spirit. At PepsiCo, we know that our company can only succeed when our associates and the society we serve flourishes. We are committed to fostering a diverse workforce by creating a collaborative, equitable and inclusive space where everyone, regardless of what we look like, where we come from or who we love, has a voice.

Job Overview:

Objective is to have dedicated seasoning resource on the ground to execute seasoning innovation & renovation projects as part of R&D SME / enablers to deliver Business AOP, Saudi Arabic primarily & affiliated frontier markets (Iraq)

Responsibilities

1. Innovation Agenda Delivery for the assigned AOP projects (local, regional and global); Plan and execute AOP projects utilizing solid technical project management tools and skills to ensure objectives are accomplished on time, to the agreed standards (TSG, Pep+, CAST) and within budget.
2. Deliver Pep+ targets on Sodium reduction for agreed seasonings as per agreed plan.
3. Deliver critical productivity target for key seasoning productivity projects, according to established timeline.
4. Brand Stewardship responsibility for assigned seasoning portfolio.
5. Understand sensory and consumer product testing methods and data very well & convert them into flavor / product optimization direction to deliver superior products to market and capture product intelligence.
6. Collaborate and align projects with all key stakeholders: Marketing, Commercialization, Food Safety, Global & Regional Procurement, R&D Technology, Regulatory, Operations, Finance etc.
7. Prepare seasoning specifications, recipes, label information, and transfer into the available Documentation Systems, manage TSG to provide compliance to proven seasoning design and legal requirements.
8. Act as the guardian of quality and competitiveness through market monitoring & running continuous improvement actions with regard to flavors to keep competitive superiority in the market.
9. Manage raw material suppliers (incl. seasoning houses) to lead work programmes on behalf of PepsiCo.
10. Plan, organise and supervise/delegate pilot/plant trials within our own factories.

Qualifications

1. First Degree or equivalent in a Science or Engineering related discipline looking to build a long term career within R&D.
2. Minimum of 5 years previous project management experience in FMCG R&D, covering product & process development ideally within flavour development.
3. English is a must (upper-intermediate written and spoken).
4. Understanding of Food Science and Manufacturing ideally relating to PepsiCo products and processes.
5. Strong analytical skills to interpret complex data and distil into meaningful information.
6. Established project management skills to effectively & efficiently drive multiple projects across different markets.
7. Strong presentation skills (written & verbal).
8. Self-starter, self-motivating: able to balance competing priorities without losing momentum.
9. Capable to frequently taste/sample products, discern product design/flavor attributes, and provide qualitative feedback.
10. Seasoning development capability is desirable to drive technical competencies within IMENA and across the flavour function.
11. Strives for high standards, seeks innovative solutions, drives continuous improvement of products and processes.
12. Ability to collaborate and work as part of a broader global team, especially capable of working cross culturally.
13. Strong interpersonal skills with ability to influence with integrity through persuasive communication.
14. Good understanding/appreciation of the broader business environment and application of technical and commercial knowledge during project execution.
15. Ability to explain complex technical issues / solutions to a non-technical audience.
16. Ability to create and use networks to actively seek and take advantage of ideas, best practice and solutions developed elsewhere.
17. Willing to work flexible hours on occasion and travel as necessary.