R&D Associate Scientist

Overview

As an R&D Associate Scientist on the AFH – Food Service team, you will have the opportunity to expand your technical expertise while contributing to the development of a diverse portfolio of beverage products. In this role, you will help translate strategic market objectives into new formulations and processes, optimize designs based on consumer insights, and support the selection of winning concepts for commercialization.

Associate Scientists actively participate in the full product development lifecycle—including new idea generation, prototype creation, product optimization, and production start‑up—while also providing hands‑on support to senior product developers as needed. Successful candidates thrive in a fast‑paced, consumer‑driven environment and enjoy tackling challenges that require creativity, technical rigor, and strong collaboration across cross‑functional teams.

• Development of sparkling beverages from concept through commercialization.
• Conduct and document product development lab work, including development of bench top prototypes, implementation and maintenance of stability testing, and scale‑ups for commercialization.
• Provide product formulation support by accurately preparing laboratory beverages and concentrates and submitting samples for analytical and sensory evaluation.
• Provide technical risk assessment and perspectives related to new product development.
• Translate product attributes into formal specifications for manufacture.
• Create beverage documents; ensure products are safe, stable, and legal.
• Possess basic technical foundation of ingredient functionality and potential interactions.
• Ability to conduct experiments, understand data trends, and propose solutions to address technical challenges.
• Provide technical guidance and bench development for targeted development initiatives and existing brands.
• Submit samples for analytical and sensory evaluation.
• Good communication skills both verbal and written, including timely and accurate documentation of work in laboratory notebooks and active communication of research status.
• Utilization of interpersonal skills to work effectively within teams.
• Reach out for guidance when needed.
• Demonstrate ability to understand the application of consumer research and experimental design to project objectives.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional team to reach project objectives.

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $73,600 - $123,150.
• 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.
• Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
• In addition to salary, Pepsi Co 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.

• B.S. in Food Science or related discipline. 1‑2 years’ experience or related discipline is a plus.

• This position will require flexibility in working hours to set‑up and complete focus groups, product expos, pilot plant scale‑ups or plant trials that may extend past typical working hours.
• Willingness to travel.
• Accurately maintain laboratory notebook and follow all safety requirements (e.g., PPE).
• Strong bench beverage development skills a plus.
• Ability to use bench scale and pilot plant equipment flawlessly to produce quality product to target.
• Ability to analyze problems, develop accurate data and determine causes.
• Moderate computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and internet.
• Good time management and organization skills.
• Good communication skills (verbal and written).

• Ability to quickly learn, demonstrate proper laboratory techniques and formulate products.
• Ability to self‑initiate and manage multiple project tasks independently to meet business…