Product Development Associate Scientist - poppi
PepsiCo, Austin, TX, United States
Join poppi’s R&D team that’s reclaiming soda one mouthwatering drop at a time. Refreshing and juicy without the unnecessary sugar, it’s time to love soda again! We’re a passionate group of people dedicated to shaking up the soda scene for good, one happy gut at a time—putting the fun back into functional with our delicious, better-for-you prebiotic soda line. This role will be based out of poppi R&D lab in Austin, TX. The Product Development Associate Scientist has responsibility for supporting poppi’s strategic R&D initiatives, including continuous improvements in sensory, scalability, cost, technical advancements, and functional efficacy. The role assists R&D scientists and managers with new product ideation and concept development, as well as troubleshooting technical product issues. The ideal candidate must provide the necessary skill set, urgency, and cross‑functional collaboration to ensure the project or task at hand can move forward effectively toward the end goal.
Responsibilities
Support R&D scientists with daily tasks and carry out all lab‑based work linked to assigned projects and activities, including development of bench‑top prototypes, implementation and maintenance of stability testing, and pilot plant/commercial scale‑up trials.
Accurately prepare laboratory beverages and concentrates and submit samples for analytical, corrosivity, and sensory evaluation.
Initiate and maintain documentation of trial reports, experimental write‑ups, analytical testing, stability testing, handover documents, and presentation cascades.
Communicate timely status of project progress to the manager and the cross‑functional team.
Create and ensure accuracy of product specification documents.
Conduct experiments, analyze data, and make recommendations to address technical challenges.
Understand application of consumer research and experimental design to project objectives and assist in shelf‑life testing and oxidation studies.
Partner with R&D disciplines such as Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Nutrition, and Regulatory to ensure a robust, safe, and legal product design.
Partner externally to source ingredients and leverage vendor expertise.
Manage the incoming samples log, which includes unpacking samples and sending boxes out.
Provision of ingredients and key documentation for consumer tests and scale‑ups; liaison with pilot plant for production of larger scale quantities.
Lead logistics of prototype shipments to consumer test locations, stakeholders, team members, and event locations.
Responsible for ensuring selected formulations are submitted for relevant product performance studies, collating results, and presenting back.
Lead the provision of all relevant product‑related documentation linked to assigned project or requests.
Occasionally work flexible hours to set up and complete focus groups, product expos, pilot plant scale‑ups, or plant trials that may extend past typical working hours.
Perform all activities in a safe manner and within the context of all PepsiCo and poppi safety protocols, maintaining GMP in laboratory, pilot plant, and factory settings. Ensure competent training and operation of all relevant equipment and processes.
Ensure compliance with all relevant Code of Business Principles, site, and company policies.
Positively contribute to and harness the progressive culture that has already been developed.
Compensation and Benefits
The expected compensation range for this position is between $66,900 – $111,950.
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, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support 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
B.S. in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related discipline.
Outstanding teamwork and communication skills.
Quick learning, able to grasp the basics of the science of beverage manufacturing.
Strategic and data‑driven approach to developing best‑in‑class products.
Great written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to analyze and communicate implications of emerging consumer trends.
Proven track record in maintaining good working relationships with business partners.
EEO Statement
Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901‑4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity / Age. If you’d like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy. Please view our Pay Transparency Statement.
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Responsibilities
Support R&D scientists with daily tasks and carry out all lab‑based work linked to assigned projects and activities, including development of bench‑top prototypes, implementation and maintenance of stability testing, and pilot plant/commercial scale‑up trials.
Accurately prepare laboratory beverages and concentrates and submit samples for analytical, corrosivity, and sensory evaluation.
Initiate and maintain documentation of trial reports, experimental write‑ups, analytical testing, stability testing, handover documents, and presentation cascades.
Communicate timely status of project progress to the manager and the cross‑functional team.
Create and ensure accuracy of product specification documents.
Conduct experiments, analyze data, and make recommendations to address technical challenges.
Understand application of consumer research and experimental design to project objectives and assist in shelf‑life testing and oxidation studies.
Partner with R&D disciplines such as Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Nutrition, and Regulatory to ensure a robust, safe, and legal product design.
Partner externally to source ingredients and leverage vendor expertise.
Manage the incoming samples log, which includes unpacking samples and sending boxes out.
Provision of ingredients and key documentation for consumer tests and scale‑ups; liaison with pilot plant for production of larger scale quantities.
Lead logistics of prototype shipments to consumer test locations, stakeholders, team members, and event locations.
Responsible for ensuring selected formulations are submitted for relevant product performance studies, collating results, and presenting back.
Lead the provision of all relevant product‑related documentation linked to assigned project or requests.
Occasionally work flexible hours to set up and complete focus groups, product expos, pilot plant scale‑ups, or plant trials that may extend past typical working hours.
Perform all activities in a safe manner and within the context of all PepsiCo and poppi safety protocols, maintaining GMP in laboratory, pilot plant, and factory settings. Ensure competent training and operation of all relevant equipment and processes.
Ensure compliance with all relevant Code of Business Principles, site, and company policies.
Positively contribute to and harness the progressive culture that has already been developed.
Compensation and Benefits
The expected compensation range for this position is between $66,900 – $111,950.
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, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support 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
B.S. in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related discipline.
Outstanding teamwork and communication skills.
Quick learning, able to grasp the basics of the science of beverage manufacturing.
Strategic and data‑driven approach to developing best‑in‑class products.
Great written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to analyze and communicate implications of emerging consumer trends.
Proven track record in maintaining good working relationships with business partners.
EEO Statement
Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901‑4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity / Age. If you’d like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy. Please view our Pay Transparency Statement.
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