R&D Assoc Process Engineer (Europe Foods R&D Process Deployment)

PepsiCo Deutschland GmbH; Leicester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

PepsiCo Deutschland GmbH is seeking an R&D Associate Process Engineer to lead deployment projects across Europe Foods. The role supports scoping, installation and commissioning of new non-centreline equipment and defines product validation plans to ensure successful commercialisation.

You will conduct process and equipment risk assessments, drive development and qualification of process systems, lead pilot plant trials, and collaborate with Quality and Food Safety teams to ensure safe,

Qualifications

• 3–4 years' experience in process engineering or product/process development within Food & Beverage.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and apply statistics.
• Experience developing, scaling and commercialising new products, processes or equipment.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and manage competing priorities.
• Willingness to travel across Europe and internationally (25–30%).

Responsibilities

• Lead process and equipment risk assessments to evaluate capability of new technologies.
• Drive development, testing, qualification and commercialisation of process systems and equipment.
• Lead pilot plant and manufacturing scale-up trials with data collection and timely communication of results.
• Collaborate with Food Safety and Quality teams to ensure safe, high-quality products.
• Design and implement experiments (DOE) to screen, model and optimise process performance.
• Develop and maintain a Europe Foods process knowledge map of assets and capabilities.
• Identify gaps and propose corrective actions and capability-building initiatives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and cross-functional team development.
• Collaborate across R&D, Supply Chain, Engineering, MOS, Quality, and Procurement.

Skills

Analytical skills

Statistical methods

Cross-functional collaboration

Influencing stakeholders

Travel readiness

Education

BSc/MSc/PhD in a relevant field

Job description

Overview

We areseeking an R&D Assoc Process Engineer to lead process deployment projects across Europe Foods.

This role will support key priorities, including:

• Scoping, installation and commissioning of new non-centreline equipment, and defining and executing product validation plans to ensure successful commercialisation.
• Process and equipment risk assessments to evaluate capability against target product designs.
• Make vs. buy process mapping to build and maintain a comprehensive understanding of process technologies, equipment assets and manufacturing capabilities across the region.
• Capacity boost projects.
• Deployment of technologies under the PepsiCo Positive (Pep+) Decarbonisation Agenda.

The role spans multiple brands across both Snacks and Grains categories and involves working with a broad range of manufacturing process technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead process and equipment risk assessments to evaluate the capability of new technologies to deliver target product designs and support investment decisions.
• Drive the development, testing, qualification, and commercialization of process systems and equipment using internal and external resources.
• Lead pilot plant and manufacturing scale-up trials, including data collection, analysis, and timely communication of results, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Partner with Food Safety and Quality teams to ensure process systems consistently deliver safe, high-quality, and stable products.
• Design and execute Design of Experiments (DOE) to screen, model, validate, and optimise pilot and commercial process performance while ensuring statistical robustness.
• Develop and maintain a Europe Foods process knowledge map, capturing equipment, process capabilities, site assets, technology platforms, and manufacturing expertise.
• Identify capability, knowledge, or system gaps and recommend corrective actions, including process improvements, coaching, training, and capability-building initiatives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement workstreams that enhance business processes, increase efficiency, strengthen knowledge sharing, and support team development through coaching and best-practice implementation.
• Collaborate effectively across R&D, Supply Chain, Engineering, MOS, Quality, Food Safety, Procurement, and external partners to deliver business objectives.

Qualifications

• BSc, MSc, or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Food Engineering, Food Science, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 3-4 years' experience in process engineering or product/process development within the Food & Beverage industry. Other relevant backgrounds or experience will be considered.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data, apply statistical methods, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience developing, scaling, and commercialising new products, processes, or equipment in cross-functional environments.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders, manage competing priorities, and perform effectively in fast-paced and dynamic environments.
• Experience working within a Technical Stage-Gate development framework is preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel across Europe and internationally (approximately 25-30%).