Crop Physiologist

Job description

Overview

PepsiCo R&D is looking for Crop Physiologist (Positive Agriculture) to join in Leicester. 

 

Job Purpose

 

This exciting role sits within the Agricultural Science team, a core function that delivers research and development to support PepsiCo’s billion-dollar global food brands, including Lays, Walkers, Doritos and Quaker.

 

Our global team of scientists is at the heart of PepsiCo’s pep+ mission – driving world class research, development and innovation in new crop technologies and practices that delivers for both people and the planet.

 

This role will have responsibility for delivering against PepsiCo Positive (pep+) goals, and to develop and manage a portfolio of Positive Agriculture projects. In addition, there is an urgent need to deliver unlocks in response to the European Green Deal as this moves towards regulation. The role therefore requires the ability to; take ownership of project delivery including decision-making responsibility; contribute and communicate subject matter expertise; collaborate with cross-functional partners within the business and external partners and vendors. Overall, this role will underpin business continuity and license to operate across our global potato sourcing footprint (~5 Million tonnes) and oat supply chain (~700,000 tonnes).

Responsibilities

Foundational subject matter expertise in crop physiology and agronomy to support delivery of positive impact in our core and emerging crops, aligned to pep+ goals.
Oversee the implementation of research projects in collaboration with research institutes and/or third-party contractors, including within our flagship Potato-LITE project (https://potato-lite.farm), ensuring that project deliverables and timelines are met.
Support continuous improvement of the Quaker Opti-Oat Crop Intelligence platform through delivery of improved science-led crop management insights for reduced greenhouse gas emissions and elevated productivity and quality (https://www.pepsico.co.uk/sustainability/sustainable-food-system/agriculture/oat-growth-guide).

Provide high quality Positive Agriculture research outcomes to support and document delivery against pep+ goals.

Accountability to provide budget estimates and track spend against all projects under their control.
Provide regular and timely project progress updates to key stakeholders to ensure continued alignment with business objectives.

Qualifications

·  Minimum MSc in Agriculture/Crop Science plus at least 3 years’ experience in managing research projects in crop physiology, agronomy, agri-tech and/or sustainable agriculture.
·  Experience working across crops, with knowledge of potatoes, oats and/or corn a major advantage.
·  Experience in experimental design of field and lab-based experiments, management of large datasets and statistical interpretation is required.
·  Excellent communication and reporting skills.
·  Ability to lead and execute projects to deliver specified goals, with experience working with external vendors an advantage.
·  Ability to explain complex scientific concepts to other scientists and to non-technical business partners.
·  Innovative attitude demonstrated through past experience and track record.

 

This position will be based in Beaumont Park, Leicester, UK. The successful applicant must be willing to travel up to 25% of the time both domestic and International. Must be willing to flex work schedule to accommodate video and phone conferences across multiple time-zones as an alternative to travel.