Emerging Innovation Manager (R&D) at PepsiCo Paarl
PepsiCo · Paarl, Western Cape
Overview
PepsiCo is looking for an Emerging Innovation Manager to join their R&D team in Paarl. You will lead strategic innovation workstreams, build team capability in prototyping and design thinking, and help shape the future of food products for the SSA region. This is a great role for someone with 5 to 8 years of experience in R&D product development who wants to make a real impact at a global company.
About the role
As the Emerging Innovation Manager, you will provide leadership in complex, matrixed teams across Global, Sector and Business Units. You will lead the execution of strategic workstreams end to end, working closely with internal and external cross functional partners.
What you will do:
- Build team capability in Innovation within R&D SSA (Foods), focusing on prototyping, ideation, and design thinking.
- Coach teams on Lean Innovation and influence others to adopt new ways of working.
- Design and lead long term innovation building to explore and build innovation platforms for categories.
- Coordinate the local Hopper program annually to ensure strong pipelines for all categories.
- Facilitate and coach teams for approximately 2 Build priorities per annum for PSP.
- Translate science push into actionable prototypes and ideas to identify consumer value and commercial potential.
- Develop sustainable Foresight practice in the Sector and integrate it into the Sector business cycle (PSP/IBP).
Requirements
- 5 to 8 years of customer experience in R&D Product Development.
- Completed BSc degree in Food Science, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering or relevant field.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and distill into useful and actionable information.
- Technical and scientific reporting skills.
- Ability to work alongside cross functional peers, across levels and occasionally global colleagues.
- Budget spend management relating to pilot plant expenses.
- Strong communication skills and stakeholder updates to R&D Manager and Directors.
- Cross functional interface primarily with Supply Chain, Marketing, Insights, Commercialization, and all R&D functions.
- Good computer skills and the ability to adapt to new technical platforms.
- Global networking skills.
- SAP knowledge and skills an advantage.
Responsibilities
- Lead the execution of strategic workstreams end to end in close collaboration with internal and external cross functional partners.
- Build team capability in Innovation in R&D SSA (Foods) from G0 to G1 in prototyping and ideation, and from G1 to G2 in design thinking.
- Influence others to adopt new ways of working by defining, developing, and coaching Lean Innovation.
- Design and lead long term innovation building in R&D SSA (Foods) to explore and build innovation platforms for categories.
- Collaborate and coordinate the local Hopper program annually to ensure strong pipelines for all categories.
- Collaborate on Explore minimum 2 priorities per annum and develop from G0 to G2.
- Facilitate and coach teams for approximately 2 Build priorities per annum for PSP.
- Translate science push into actionable prototypes and ideas to identify consumer value and commercial potential.
- Develop sustainable Foresight practice in the Sector and integrate into the Sector business cycle (PSP/IBP) by generating relevant Foresight Scenarios and leading discussions with Sector LT and Global teams.
Job details
- Organisation
- PepsiCo
- Location
- Paarl, Western Cape
- Job type
- Full time
- Experience level
- Mid (5+ years)
- Education
- Bachelor
- Category
- Science & Research
- Application Method
- Apply online
Success Guide
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a global giant like PepsiCo right here in Paarl. For a role in R&D innovation, you will want to show more than just your degree. Highlight any projects where you took an idea from concept to prototype, and talk about how you work with cross functional teams. In interviews, expect questions about your experience with design thinking and how you manage budgets for pilot plants. Emphasise your ability to translate science into consumer value. Also, be ready to discuss how you stay updated with food science trends. Good luck!
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