The Opportunity

The R&D Associate Manager leads innovation, productivity, brand stewardship, and portfolio transformation for the Potato Chips category (Lay’s, Ruffles, Sabritas, and Sabritas Receta Crujiente) across the PMF and CAR regions.The role is accountable for delivering strategic, science‑based projects that drive sustainable business growth and expand the category into new consumer occasions.

This position integrates strong technical expertise, functional ingredient knowledge, and consumer‑led innovation thinking to design, scale, and commercialize products that strengthen the portfolio and unlock incremental growth opportunities, including solutions incorporating protein, fiber, and other nutritional enhancements.

In addition to project leadership, the role acts as a technical thought leader and people manager, building scientific rigor, confidence, and technical capability within the R&D team. The objective is to position R&D as a trusted, data‑driven innovation partner capable of influencing business decisions through evidence‑based insights and experimentation.

The R&D Associate Manager leads initiatives end‑to‑end, from ideation and prototyping through pilot trials, scale‑up, start‑up, and commercialization, while providing technical mentorship to product developers. The role reports to the R&D Senior Manager and works in close partnership with R&D, Marketing, Planning, Supply Chain, Operations, and Business teams.

Innovation, Growth & New Occasions

• Lead innovation initiatives aligned with the BU AOP Innovation Agenda, enabling portfolio expansion into new platforms and occasions.
• Translate consumer insights, need states, and emerging trends into scalable, science‑backed product concepts.
• Develop differentiated product solutions that balance consumer relevance, technical feasibility, and commercial requirements.
• Partner with Marketing, Sales, and Finance to ensure innovation plans are executable and aligned with business objectives.

Functional Ingredients & Science‑Based Product Design

• Lead the development and application of functional ingredients (e.g., protein, fiber, nutritional enhancements) within snack products.
• Apply expertise in food chemistry, nutrition science, and ingredient functionality to guide formulation decisions.
• Ensure all nutritional and functional designs are scientifically valid, regulatory‑compliant, and evidence‑based.
• Collaborate with Nutrition Science, Regulatory, Sensory, and Analytical teams to support sound technical decisions and credible claims.

Product Development, Research & Scale‑Up

• Execute complex product development initiatives, resolving technical challenges through structured experimentation and analysis.
• Lead research projects involving chemical, biochemical, nutritional, and microbiological aspects of foods.
• Design, develop, and validate formulations and prototypes that meet quality, safety, and manufacturability standards.
• Lead pilot trials, plant validations, scale‑up, and start‑up activities for innovation and renovation projects.

Product Lifecycle Management & Governance

• Lead projects through the Stage Gate process from feasibility through Launch & Learn.
• Deliver complete and accurate technical documentation.
• Conduct end‑to‑end risk assessments and define mitigation plans across all project phases.

Product Transformation, Brand Stewardship & Productivity

• Lead product transformation initiatives to ensure compliance with global and local PepsiCo guidelines.
• Ensure consistent execution of brand stewardship across the portfolio.
• Drive productivity initiatives related to ingredients, formulations, and processes to improve manufacturing efficiency.
• Lead zero mass balance activities, defining raw material usage factors, cost impacts, and productivity opportunities.

Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory

• Execute tactical food‑safety plans and support regulatory and quality audits.
• Lead analytical, microbiological, shelf‑life, and consumer testing in collaboration with R&D SCPI and Analytical teams.
• Ensure compliance with product, regulatory, and nutrition standards.
• Provide technical input for Nutrition Facts and nutritional labeling.

Cross‑Functional & Global Collaboration

• Represent Mexico and CARICAM within the Global Potato Chip Community of Practice.
• Identify and execute Lift & Adapt opportunities that balance global strategy with local regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate closely with R&D technical teams, business partners, and operations teams across the network.

People Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead and mentor Potato Chip Product Developers, providing technical guidance and coaching.
• Build scientific rigor, problem‑solving capability, and technical confidence within the team.
• Develop early‑career associates into capable, science‑driven innovators.
• Reinforce R&D’s role as a credible, evidence‑based partner to the business.

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Food Technology, Food Chemistry, Chemical, Industrial or Process Engineering, or related field.
• 6-8 years of experience in R&D, Product Development, Innovation, or Technical Project Leadership within food or FMCG environments, with proven delivery of end‑to‑end product commercialization.
• Strong technical background in formulation, functional ingredients, nutrition‑focused design, and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects through product lifecycle stages, including prototyping, pilot trials, scale‑up, and plant implementation.
• People leadership experience (2+ years) with a track record of coaching and developing technical talent in matrixed, cross‑functional organizations.
• Results‑oriented leader with a strong sense of ownership and integrity, comfortable navigating ambiguity, driving decisions in fast‑changing environments, and continuously learning through a science‑first, data‑driven approach.
• Fluent in English and Spanish, with the ability to influence stakeholders through clear, structured, and data‑driven communication.

If this is an opportunity that interests you, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet 100% of the requirements.

What can you expect from us:

• Opportunities to learn and develop every day through a wide range of programs.
• Internal digital platforms that promote self-learning.
• Development programs according to Leadership skills.
• Specialized training according to the role.
• Learning experiences with internal and external providers.
• We love to celebrate success, which is why we have recognition programs for seniority, behavior, leadership, moments of life, among others.
• Financial wellness programs that will help you reach your goals in all stages of life.
• A flexibility program that will allow you to balance your personal and work life, adapting your working day to your lifestyle.
• And because your family is also important to us, they can also enjoy benefits such as our Wellness Line, thousands of Agreements and Discounts, Scholarship programs for your children, Aid Plans for different moments of life, among others.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We respect and value diversity as a work force and innovation for the organization.