Research & Development Industrial Placement - Environment, Health & Safety 2026

PepsiCo Deutschland GmbH; Leicester; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global food and beverage company is offering a 12-month full-time R&D placement starting in July 2026. The role emphasizes Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) with responsibilities including project involvement and compliance. Candidates should be in their penultimate year of study, pursuing a relevant degree, and will receive a salary of £25,500 along with various benefits. The position is based in Leicester, UK.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays

Discounted PepsiCo products

Development and mentoring

Competitive pension scheme

Market-leading health benefits

Qualifications

• Full right to work for the duration of placement (July 2026-July 2027).
• Currently in penultimate year of studies including sandwich placement option.
• Good analytical skills to interpret data and identify trends.
• Concise communicator with first-class written and verbal presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Deliver specific elements of R&D EHS Annual Operating Plan.
• Involvement in construction project focus on Management of Change.
• Day-to-day EHS requirements and investigations.
• Participate in Site Safety Action Team.
• Support Legal and GEHSMS audits.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Communication

Motivation

Passion for safety and environment

Education

Degree in Health & Safety or related field

Job description

Overview

You’ve learned a lot as a student already. Want to put it into practice at PepsiCo?

Our placement programmes are structured to give you the chance to make an impact on some of the world’s biggest brands. From day one, you’ll be working on projects that matter. You will shake things up, shape trends, and get guidance and development to help you discover your potential.

We are looking for enthusiastic undergraduates to join our R&D teams on a 12-month placement programme starting in July 2026 on a full-time basis. All our Research & Development opportunities are based out of Beaumont Park, Leicester.

Innovation takes centre stage at PepsiCo! That means our Global R&D team are at the heart of the action and are kept busy creating the products of the future, for our global consumers. In a fast-paced consumer environment, our research and development capability is crucial to provide a fresh twist to our favourite brands as well as creating new to the world healthy choices that we need to succeed in the market. Our research and development focuses on building a consumer-centric understanding, enabling us to design products for the latest consumer needs - whether nutrition, refreshment, or indulgence – driving our growth both now and in the future.

You’ll have lots of autonomy where your decisions will really make a difference to our business and in return, you’ll have the chance to develop your skills and experience in a fast paced, energetic environment.

Overview of the role

The Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Team at Beaumont Park plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all personnel on site, as well as responsibilities for R&D Associates across Europe. As part of the wider Site Operations team, the EHS Team is responsible for maintaining compliance with relevant legislation, providing expert guidance on EHS matters to the Engineers and Scientists on site, fostering a proactive safety culture, and managing operational risk in relation to health and safety and the environment. The collective Site Operations Team ensures that the facility remains safe, functional, and fit-for-purpose, enabling the R&D teams to operate effectively and deliver world-class innovation.

Beyond core safety responsibilities, the EHS team supports site-wide initiatives including cultural activities, events, and is heavily engaged in the capital investment agenda, led from within the Site Operations Team. A key upcoming project is a multi-million-pound construction initiative to enhance, expand and future-proof R&D capabilities on site (Project Evolve), with building work commencing in June 2026. The EHS team will play a pivotal role in this development, ensuring safety and compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

Responsibilities

What you will be doing:

• Delivery of specific elements of R&D EHS Annual Operating Plan, including KPI analysis & reporting, MESS (Machine & Equipment Safety Standard) programme delivery, supporting Global R&D Lead for Fire Prevention and Protection
• Direct involvement in Project Evolve (construction project), focusing on Management of Change (MoC) and Contractor Management – ensuring safe delivery of the project and delivery to PepsiCo EHS standards in accordance with MoC
• Day-to-day EHS requirements and investigating / responding to Near Misses, minor injuries and incidents
• Active role within the Site Safety Action Team including safety campaign design and participation
• Supporting Legal and GEHSMS (Global EHS Management System) audits
• Support the implementation of ‘Courage to Care’ culture initiative across both BP and wider Europe R&D Organisation, including leadership of local events

Qualifications

What are we looking for?

• Students that have the full right to work for the duration of the full time placement (July 2026-July 2027).
• Students currently in their penultimate year of university studies, where the course includes the option of completing a sandwich placement before returning to study after the placement.
• Following path to a degree level qualification in Health & Safety, or in a discipline where EHS is an important part – e.g., Engineering or Construction.
• Good analytical skills to interpret data and identify trends
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate to a diverse audience
• High degree of self-motivation combined with good organisational skills
• Concise and persuasive communicator with first class written and verbal presentation skills, especially to non-technical audiences
• Passion for safety, care of others and/or environment and the ability to engender this passion in others to engage and gain commitment for safety initiatives

What else do you need to know?

Our placements start in July 2026 on a full-time basis and will last for 12 months. The salary is £25,500.

Other benefits

• Vibrant culture
• Development and mentoring
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 days bank holidays, birthday leave
• Discounted PepsiCo products
• Competitive pension scheme
• Market-leading health and wellbeing benefits: Virtual GP; available to you and your family 24/7; discounted gym membership; SWORD online digital physiotherapy service

Our application process involves

• Online application
• One way video interview sent to you by Talent Acquisition team: September- October 2025
• Virtual Assessment Centre November- December 2025 (subject to change)

Application Closing Date: 20^th October 2025

Our application window is scheduled to close on the above date, however, in the event of a large response we will close applications early. We would therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

About 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 nearly $92 billion in net revenue in 2024, 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.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the centre of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people.