R&D QA Principal Scientist

Overview
Work for a global FMCG company with some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands. Be part of an exciting business where employees are recognised and career growth is supported.
At PepsiCo, you can Dare for Better. You can help build a world where there are more possibilities for more people, no matter what role you hold. Together, we'll make a positive impact for good. Because when we Dare for Better, we can smile at what's next. For our careers, families, communities and the planet.
Reporting to the R&D FSQA Lead (Asia & ANZ), the QA Pricipal Scientist is responsible for leading the Food Safety and Quality Assurance compliance for Snacks & Beverage categories across ANZ Operating Unit geographies, inluding Innovation and Core operations
For you:

• Competitive benefits package:
• 16% annual bonus
• 24.5k car allowance p.a.
• Discounts on Scoopon, Luxury Escapes, Asahi Beverages portfolio
• Generous leave options (wellness, birthday, volunteer, 20 weeks parental for both primary & secondary carer, additional leave purchase/cash out)
• Lease Plan
• Health & Wellness programs:
• Discounted private health insurance
• Financial coaching
• Counselling sessions
• Flu vaccinations
• Skin checks
• Professional development programs
• Global career opportunities

Job Overview
:

Lead the ANZ Foods & Bev OU Food Safety & Quality Assurance function by ensuring Quality and Food Safety by design for all new innovations, while delivering the right specifications that are fit for purpose and consumer relevant. This role will need to implement comprehensive and sustainable programs that drive capability and quality throughout the supply chain. Complementing the objectives of building quality and food safety into systems and processes, a critical aspect of this role will be to implement and monitor necessary quality and food safety metrics in order to provide needed oversight and governance.

Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:

• Support the OU product and package innovation agenda in both beverages and foods by ensuring standards and process are adhered to during the innovation process, delivering "quality and food safety by design".
• Participate in the OU Stage Gate meetings ensuring quality and food safety guardrails have been addressed in the stage gate process
• For complex innovations, provide needed technical support at plant level to ensure start-up readiness and develop quality system and testing protocols/methods which should be applied for new product introductions with support from Region/Sector QA
• Ensure appropriate specifications have been developed, that HACCP transfer documents for new initiatives have been completed and that appropriate guardrails for food safety are in place
• Provide needed oversight and governance by ensuring our quality and food safety standards and protocols are effectively implemented in our manufacturing facilities, and that they are maintained across the supply chain to ensure our products are safe, legal and meet consumer-defined design across our total portfolio of products.
• Effectively collaborate with BU Quality Control (Operations) to jointly develop Quality and Food Safety objectives and targets that deliver on our promise to provide consumers with safe and wholesome products of outstanding quality, consistency and value.
• Harmonize the quality management programs including testing methods across the region and ensure that an updated and accurate central repository of specifications and standards is maintained
• Provide needed oversight and governance of established quality systems, managing the issuance of variances to specifications and standards, ensuring needed corrective actions to non-compliances in quality and food safety audits have been implemented, and that the systems and processes that are in place are being adhered to by product developers and operations (Quality Control)
• Provide technical support in the assessment of contract manufacturing sites for new products, performing needed capability assessment for new manufacturing platforms and ensuring appropriate design quality and food safety principles have been implemented.
• Deliver quality and food safety training programs and tools, meeting specific regional needs that support and facilitate their implementation.
• Support the implementation of consumer feedback system program minimum requirements and guidelines, evaluating results to determine whether quality and food safety guardrails must be adjusted.

Qualifications
About You:

• A bachelor's degree in science or engineering with a strong understanding of beverage and food manufacturing
• A minimum of 8-10 years of experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and/or related experience with a proven track record in supporting the launch of new products, preferably for a multinational company.
• Demonstrated leadership in Quality Assurance, Quality Control, new product development, manufacturing and/or R&D Technical position requiring interface with all of these disciplines
• Must have the ability to influence the field and senior stakeholders across the BU organization. Ø Familiarity and comfort with working across varied, diverse, cultures and specifically have the ability to understand and leverage geographic and cultural drivers
• Strong leadership skills, assertive personality to drive the QA agenda Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to represent PepsiCo internally and externally.
• Strong cross cultural and matrix management ability to be effective with R&D / GNG / Operations / Innovation teams. Ability to work effectively and efficiently on teams as a leader and driving toward common goals
• Willingness and flexibility to travel.

About us:
Join us and work with iconic brands like Doritos, Gatorade, Pepsi Max, Smith's Chips, Red Rock Deli, Twisties, Quaker Oats, and Bluebird NZ.

• Recognised as a Top Employer in Australia and New Zealand for the past 4 years
• Family Friendly Certification (AU)
• Australian Disability Network Member

PepsiCo is dedicated to sustainability with initiatives like EV chargers, net-zero energy efficiency, hydro trucks, and net-zero water usage. We foster innovation and empower employees to make a meaningful impact through Pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). Join us to shape the future of food and beverages with a focus on sustainability.