Research & Development Industrial Placement - Food Safety Quality Assurance + Regulatory Affair[...]

PepsiCo, Inc.; Leicester; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food and beverage company in Leicester seeks enthusiastic undergraduates for a Regulatory Affairs placement. This 12-month role starting in July 2026 involves reviewing product compliance, supporting new launches, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Ideal candidates are in their penultimate year of study pursuing relevant degrees. An attractive salary of £25,500 is offered, along with excellent benefits including 25 days of annual leave and health perks.

Benefits

Vibrant culture

Development and mentoring

25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays

Discounted PepsiCo products

Competitive pension scheme

Market-leading health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Students in their penultimate year of university studies.
• Interest in developing technical skills in food regulation.
• Ability to communicate with non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Review compliance of raw materials for new product launches.
• Support automated data collection for ingredient information.
• Assess finished product labels for consistency.

Skills

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Good interpersonal skills

Concise communicator

Broad digital skills

Education

Degree in Food Science/Technology, Nutrition, Life Sciences, Chemistry or similar

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 focusses 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.

Role overview

This is a unique opportunity to work for a leader in the food and beverage industry in a broad technical role that encompasses Regulatory Affairs (RA), Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA). You'll play a key role in ensuring products meet the highest standards of food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. Working with many partners across functions - including supply chain, product development - you'll support new product launches, assess ingredients and labelling, and help uphold compliance with evolving legislation. This varied, hands-on role offers the chance to learn from industry experts and gain experience with real projects, building valuable technical and professional skills for your future in the food and beverage industry. You will also experience attending manufacturing sites and meeting suppliers, with some travel expected.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing the compliance of raw materials for PepsiCo foods (supporting new product launches and maintenance of existing products)
• Supporting the transition to an automated way of working for ingredient data collection
• Assessing finished product labels and leading a project around artwork consistency
• Supporting business process improvements in FSQA and Regulatory Affairs
• Support real world FSQA projects gaining exposure to risk assessment, compliance strategies and regulatory frameworks
• Work with cross functional teams across supply chain, product development and regulatory affairs to uphold quality and food safety standards
• Support in new product launches and ongoing product maintenance by assessing suppliers, ingredients, and new innovations

Qualifications and preferred attributes

• 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
• Currently pursuing a degree level qualification in Food Science/Technology, Nutrition, Life Sciences, Chemistry or similar
• Strong and broad range of digital skills
• Attention to detail
• Interested in learning food regulation and developing technical skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good interpersonal skills, able to work with a range of stakeholders across multiple functions and countries
• Concise and persuasive communicator with first class written and verbal presentation skills, especially to non-technical audiences

Application details

Application Closing Date: 20 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 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.

Becoming part of PepsiCo

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.

What else 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 free digital physiotherapy service