R&D Product Development Assistant Scientist

Company: PepsiCo
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Location: Leicester
Job Description:

Overview

PepsiCo is looking for R&D Product Development Assistant Scientist (Europe Foods) to join in Leicester. The R&D Assistant Scientist supports the effective delivery of projects within the Europe Foods R&D Team in support of the EMEA AOP, including prototyping, leading factory trials and providing support to cross‑functional partners (e.g. Specifications, ZBR’s, resolving Quality issues etc.) related to the portfolio.

Responsibilities

  • Reporting to the R&D Manager, support the execution of multiple Product Development projects for Europe Foods including renovation and innovation workstreams to enable the Europe Foods AOP delivery and innovation pipeline building.
  • Lead aspects of product development independently, escalating issues as required.
  • Lead benchtop recipe development and prototyping against marketing‑led concepts, and provide R&D input to concept development.
  • Contribute to workstreams to improve ways of working across the team e.g. improvement of business processes to drive greater efficiencies, sharing of knowledge to create better team cohesion & developing others through embedding best practice.
  • Work effectively in collaboration with cross‑functional and R&D discipline partners.
  • Leverage a combination of functional and business expertise to shape and develop the technical elements of winning consumer propositions that drive sustainable business growth.
  • Execute complex technical projects utilising solid technical project management tools and skills to ensure objectives are accomplished on time, to the agreed standards and within budget.
  • Demonstrated application of consumer product testing, sensory, analytical data to ensure excellent product launches through creation of accurate technical product specifications.
  • Apply Technical & Business Governance processes effectively from feasibility stage right through to scale‑up & post‑launch support.

Qualifications

  • Graduate in Food, Science or Engineering discipline or equivalent.
  • At least 2‑3 years experience in FMCG R&D product or technology development roles, managing NPD projects from concept to launch, ideally in the snack food product categories.
  • Demonstrated understanding & application of consumer product testing, sensory & analytical methods.
  • Co‑ordination of 3rd‑party manufacturers &/or suppliers to meet business goals.
  • Experience of working across different product areas.
  • In‑depth analytical skills to interpret complex data and distil into meaningful information e.g. interpreting process data, experimental design and statistical inference.
  • Good understanding/appreciation of the broader business environment and application of technical and commercial knowledge during project execution.
  • Good interpersonal skills with ability to influence with integrity through persuasive communication to win support at more senior levels within R&D and Supply Chain and to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders from different levels, backgrounds and cultures.

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Posted: March 23rd, 2026