R&D Assistant Manager – AOP Spec Writing, PepsiCo

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Global Leader in Convenient Foods and Beverages

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 $86 billion in net revenue in 2022, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. 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.

Our mission: Create more smiles with every sip and every bite

For our consumers
By creating joyful moments through our delicious and nourishing products and unique brand experiences. 

For our customers
By being the best possible partner, driving game-changing innovation and delivering a level of growth unmatched in our industry. 

For our associates and our communities
By creating meaningful opportunities to work, gain new skills and build successful careers, and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace. 

For our planet
By conserving nature’s precious resources and fostering a more sustainable planet for our children and grandchildren. 

For our shareholders
By delivering sustainable top-tier TSR and embracing best-in-class corporate governance. 

Location – Gandipet Mandal / Hyderabad, India

Overview

As a PD specification writer, the role requires ensuring that the necessary criteria and requirements in building the specification of ING and Non INGs (Excluding Packaging & Label) are met.

This role will drive the legacy specification migration to SAP initially and provide support to PepsiCo Product Developers on new ING & NON-ING PD Spec development to ensure they comply with the standards and requirements Post System rollout in the sector.

Responsibilities

• Understand the PepsiCo PLM and SW ways of working in legacy systems (offline) and in SAP including Global Ingredient Standard and Supplier Standard and become proficient in the CAST Program and IT Applications associated.
• Drive accurate migration of Legacy Specs (ING and Non ING) in SAP systems and validate with regional teamsPre Go live on CAST.
• Collaborate with Regional teams to review and update ING & Non-ING specifications in line with the regular spec renewal dates.
• Collaborate with Regional Cross Functional Teams and external resources to develop ING and Non-ING specifications (Excluding Label & Packaging) that are clear, concise, and accurate to be handed over to run operations- Post Go Live on CAST.
• Ensure all requests are processed, documented, and delivered within defined SLAs (Service Level Agreements).
• Identify potential areas for process improvements to make recommendations to R&D Leadership for continuous improvement.
• Raise necessary CRs on behalf of sector R & D teams when needed and aligned.

ING Specs:

• Work with and provide guidance to suppliers in completing the requirements of the specification through the completion of relevant tools i.e. ISSQ, in the following Key areas:
• Ingredient Composition
• All Chemical, physical and other parameter requirement.
• Claims/Compliance related with QA/FS
• Food safety Requirements
• Allergen
• Test method and limit of for FS and Performance parameters
• Ingredient Micro sensitive assessment.
• Other Spec General information
• Validate correct migration of data to the Global Ingredient Specification system, includes review of the information and supporting documents/evidence collected from the supplier.
• Work with Functional approver to review and align the specifications created/updated. Communicate with Operations and vendors for acceptance on specification change as needed. Coordinate uploads with SDSA teams.
• Work with Functional Approvers (Regulatory, Quality, Food Safety, Product Development, Analytical and Micro), and facilitate engagement with the relevant stakeholders like GP, SQA and QC for enrichment of specifications as per Global business workflows.
• Maintain and update existing specs to ensure compliance with standards.
• Collaborate with LiSU to assess impact on higher level specs if any and manage with regional partners.
• Upload all paperwork (i.e., Supplier Specs) and materials qualifications into the SAP system and track workflow.
• Manage Supplier relationships and serve as point of contact to gather information/data needed to build specifications; complete timely follow-ups to keep the process moving to completion.

Non ING Specs (Scope- Formula, Process, FGE):

• Collaborate with and provide guidance to regional PD, TDC and Packaging teams in completing the requirements of the Non-ING specs through the completion of relevant tools- AMESA Spec Request Form & PLM Templates.
• Align ER release per the project classification (Innovation, Productivity, TBS, Ingredient Change etc).
• Digitize the Non ING specs accurately per the information received from PDs and review ER progress against the agreed timelines.
• Collaborate with PD,TDC, Pkg partners to ensure ER closure on time.
• Collaborate with SDSA, RA & Pkg partners to ensure the necessary uploads in R & D repositories.
• Escalate the risks/challenges faced (if any) well in time with the stakeholders through the progress on ER(s) for the projects.
• Maintain and update existing specs to ensure compliance with standards.

System associated activities:

• Participate in User Acceptance Testing (UAT) of systems related to creation of specifications (e.g. SAP) as may

be required. Report gaps, roadblocks or findings and support on finding solutions and help facilitate closure with IT SMEs

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Engineering, Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Science and Microbiology, or adjacent subjects. MS is desired.
• Min. 2-3 years of experience on Regulatory, QA/QC, Food Analytical experience or other Food related FMCG in a technical role; 1-2 years of which on Product Development or Specification Writing.
• Well-versed on Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal (i.e. presentation, conference calls) and written (i.e. reports, e-mails) in English.
• Confident and able to speak or present to senior leaders when needed.
• Learning agility, self-motivation and desire for continuous self-improvement.
• Team player and works well with cross-functional, cross-regional and cross-cultural teams.
• Can work independently and has initiative for problem solving

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