R&D Product Development Manager - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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. At PepsiCo we create a Space to be y( )u.

Learn more about our culture and life at PepsiCo: https://stories.pepsicojobs.com/

Join PepsiCo, dare to transform.

This role will support Frontier Markets (Iraq, North Africa, and WECA) to develop and deliver products under PC, TC , Pellets and growth platform through inhouse/Co-man/3^rd Party solutions for AOP and PSP. Role will lead product and process development, Co-man/suppliers identification, support in qualification, successful launch and post launch support solution, technical brands stewardship and productivity agenda.  The role will work in close collaboration with PepsiCo’s global R&D, Supply Chain, Commercial teams, 3rd Party/Co-man and raw materials/equipment suppliers.

1. Effectively manage multiple projects; innovation, productivity and brand stewardship of growth platform.
2. Lead growth platform under Lays, Doritos, Cheetos & Pellets AOP projects and PSP initiatives from Idea Hopper to Launch & Learn of Refresh and select reframe projects.
3. Develop, plan, conduct, and coordinate product development initiatives to use experimental design and data interpretation tools to make technically sound recommendations to business.
4. Engage with BU GP & SC to support and manage technical aspects of productivity agendas of growth platform.
5. Develop product against consumer and business KPIs by leveraging available resources including R&D Laboratory tools, bench top, factory equipment, pilot plants, supplier’s technical assets.
6. Coordinate samples requirements with manufacturing plants, global R&D function etc. for NPD, internal screening, bench taste, sensory test, consumer test, shelf life stability, sales samples, scale-up trials, and other needs.
7. Develop & review FC, business P&L and finalize product and ingredient specifications with PQP guardrails.
8. Develop an understanding and demonstrate the application of consumer product testing; sensory and analytical etc. to deliver superior products to the market and establish product intelligence. Actively participate in marketing research programs including focus groups and other consumer research formats.
9. Lead MyInnovation and Technical Stage Gate and related work for his/her project and ensure timely completion of all TSG stages and its deliverables.
10. Develop project briefs/Global Innovation Briefs (GIB) and seek R&D and other cross functional alignment (especially Marketing and Supply Chain).
11. Lead exploration of new ingredients, formulation and process technologies and leverage expertise inside and outside the organization to deliver new product and process development.
12. Represent R&D on multi-functional business teams and Influence others through strong communication & interpersonal skills.
13. Develop and execute projects utilizing solid technical project management tools and skills to ensure objectives are accomplished on time, to the agreed standards and within budget.
14. Provide regular progress updates against agreed deliverables & objectives and timely communication of issues to all primary sponsors and stakeholders.
15. Execute the new product launch flawlessly through the use of sound project management principles and the application of strategic decision-making tools.
16. Act as the guardian of quality for the brands; owning product, process and material design standards and owner of product specifications and tracking in-market performance through CQA & PQMd.
17. Support TBM to deliver Reframe & Breakthrough innovations through participation in trials, commissioning and launch.

Education:  Graduation/masters degree in Food Science /Engineering (Chemical/Mechanical) / Food & Nutrition/Pharma

• Scope and years of experience:

Must have FMCG experience of +6 years 

Must have experience in Product development/R&D function and 3^rd party manufacturing.

Skills Needed:

1. Product Development
2. Process trouble shooting
3. Recipe, formula understanding
4. Passion for creativity and innovation within a commercially driven environment.
5. Proven record of launching at least couple of innovation in the market.
6. Ability to work in Factory/Plant environment in collaboration with diverse nationality workforce.