Sr. Corporate Food Safety & Quality Leader (Business Process)

PepsiCo Inc.; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

PepsiCo Inc. in Plano, TX, seeks a senior leader for Food Safety & Quality to drive PFNA program excellence across our manufacturing network, overseeing audits, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement initiatives.

You will lead on-site and virtual assessments, mentor teams, coordinate with HQ and field colleagues, and steer standardization of quality and food safety policies while traveling 50–60% as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years quality and food safety experience in field manufacturing.
• Willing to travel 50-60% with a valid passport.
• Authorized to work in the US; Canadian work permit as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead QAS audits across internal and contract facilities and close-out discussions.
• Coordinate audit schedules with plants and ensure timely completion.
• Identify trends and gaps to strengthen PFNA quality and food safety.
• Prepare and share audit management reports and corrective actions.
• Collaborate with HQ QFS, R&D, MCOE and field teams to standardize policies.
• Support training and capability-building across PFNA.
• Lead annual PFNA QAS audit rewrite and related tasks.
• Build relationships across PepsiCo Supply Chain.

Skills

Travel readiness

Auditing experience

Communication skills

Problem solving

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS365

Job description

Overview

The Food Safety and Quality Sr. Leaders role is key member of the PFNA Corporate Quality and Food Safety (QFS) team, driving excellence across our manufacturing network by ensuring consistent execution of PepsiCo’s quality and food safety standards. This highly visible role is responsible for monitoring, verifying, and enhancing site performance against the Corporate Quality & Food Safety Management System while leading both on-site and virtual assessments within the Quality and Foods Safety audit scheme across the foods network for both internal manufacturing facilities and contract manufacturing (CoMAN) partners.

The successful candidate will also combine deep technical Quality and Food Safety Manager System expertise and understanding of regulatory compliance requirements (FDA, USDA, CFIA, etc.) with strong leadership and communication skills to influence change, support strategic Quality and Food Safety priorities, and advance a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality products throughout the PFNA network.

Responsibilities

• Lead the monitoring and verification of compliance to the PFNA Quality and Food Safety Policies and Standards across internal and contract manufacturing facilities through effective execution of QAS Audits, ensuring consistency and calibrated assessment. Lead close-out discussions with the site.
• Establish and maintain effective communication with plants assigned for auditing and manage schedule to ensure robust and efficient completion of these audits.
• Evaluate trends, identify systematic gaps and recurring themes across the QFS Management Systems to proactively develop and implement strategies to strengthen processes and overall performance across all PFNA facilities.
• Prepare, distribute management reports for the audits and specific program details, and share updates on corrective action progress and strategies to leadership.
• National ownership and SME of assigned Quality and Food Safety Management Systems and strategic point assignments; effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams across the HQ QFS, R&D, MCOE, and the field teams to develop or enhance PFNA standardization of policies, protocols, procedures, work instructions, job-aids, training content, etc. for these systems.
• Support training, education and capability-building initiatives that strengthen quality and food safety performance and culture across PFNA.
• Provide leadership in systematic problem solving and project management to address QFS issues; develop and drive sustainable improvement strategies and deliver effective change management.
• Lead annual PFNA QAS audit rewrite process for both internal and external schemes, and other assignments.
• Build and sustain strong collaborative relationships across PepsiCo Supply Chain and other functional partners.

Compensation and Benefits

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $80,200 - $134,250.
• Location confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting actual starting salary. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.
• Bonus based on performance and eligibility target payout is 8% of annual salary paid out annually.
• Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
• In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Food Science, Microbiology, Engineering or related field.
• Quality and Food Safety background preferably in field manufacturing for at least 5 years, with strong understanding of food safety regulatory requirements and core PFNA quality and food safety programs.
• Able to travel 50 to 60% and support the PFNA Network (USA, Canada, and Mexico); must have a valid passport.
• Authorized to work in the US, and able to obtain a Canadian work permit as needed.
• Strong auditing and assessment experience is preferred or able to successfully complete Auditor Certification and qualify through auditor training.
• Must be PCQI trained or able to successfully complete PCQI training.
• Understanding of applicable food regulations: FSMA, cGMP, HACCP, Food Safety Standards in accordance with FDA, USDA, CFIA, etc.
• Strong systematic problem-solving skills and demonstrated aptitude for structured root cause analysis with demonstrated ability to identify critical data, develop corrective actions, and drive issue resolution.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to influence at all levels, including senior leadership.
• Agile, self-starter with the ability to work with independently in scheduling, planning and managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to build effective working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Proficiency in MS365 operating systems and digitally savvy.
• Candidate must have Quality and Food Safety experience.

EEO Statement

Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901-4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity / Age

If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy.

Please view our Pay Transparency Statement.