OverviewThe PepsiCo Foods North America (PFNA)/Frito-Lay Best Practices and Sustainability Manager will oversee and coordinate the efforts of the Potato Storage Research & Best Practices Manager. This role is responsible for ensuring the successful implementation of strategies across storage research, variety commercialization, and soil & water health. The leader will drive collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement to meet Frito-Lay's business and sustainability goals.
ResponsibilitiesStrategic Planning and Execution:
- In partnership with team members, growers, and cross-functional teams, co-develop and implement comprehensive strategies to drive improvement in: commercial potato storage, post harvest modeling, potato agronomic best practices, and soil & water health in North America.
- Oversee the execution of commercial scale trials designed to develop data and insights used to inform and align strategic priorities listed above.
- Use multiple theories of change constructs to ensure adoption and commercialization of strategies at farm and business level.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including growers, industry partners, and ag sustainability experts.
- Act as a point of contact for key stakeholders, addressing concerns and facilitating knowledge exchange.
- Represent PFNA Potatoes at industry events and conferences, including but not limited to the Potato Association of America (PAA), Potato Sustainability Alliance (PSA), and local potato extension meetings.
- Set the tone and approach for how Frito-Lay led technical potato training and engagements are conducted.
Data-Driven Decision Making:
- Oversee the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data related to storage, variety performance, soil health, and water use efficiency.
- Co-develop big data end-to-end AI models to inform strategic decisions and drive continuous improvement across key pillars of quality, and grower agronomic performance.
Continuous Improvement and Innovation:
- Stay current on industry advancements and best practices in potato postharvest physiology, variety development & commercialization, potato agronomy, sustainability, and complementary ag-technology.
- Foster a culture of innovation, encouraging the team to explore new approaches and solutions while balancing business priorities.
- Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance potato quality, productivity, and sustainability for both farms and brands (Lay's, Ruffles, Wavy, Stax, Miss Vickie's).
Ad-hoc Support:
- Act as a technical potato expert for the Frito-Lay Potato Team and provide knowledge and subject matter expertise extension for growers and business when necessary.
- Provide technical support for broader Positive Agriculture dimensions, including soil health, carbon sequestration, watershed health, biodiversity, and farmer livelihoods.
- Collaborate with internal and external cross-functional teams to address emerging challenges and opportunities within the potato industry.
Budget Management:
- Develop and manage the annual budget for the Best Practices and Sustainability Team, ensuring alignment with commercial priorities.
- Monitor expenditures and optimize resource allocation to maximize impact and efficiency.
Compensation and Benefits:- The expected compensation range for this position is between $89,000 - $149,000.
- 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 10% 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- Master's or PhD in Agronomy, Horticulture, or Agricultural Science.
- Proven experience in leading agricultural trials, developing agronomy best practices, and managing agricultural lab operations.
- Direct experience in North American potato production, technology commercialization and sustainability.
- Strong communication skills for engaging with Frito-Lay grower partners on sustainability and agricultural practices.
- Experience in leading managers in a matrix agricultural environment.
Differentiating Competencies Required:
- Demonstrated technical communication skills across grower, commercial, and technical industry communities.
- Proven track record in leading and developing agricultural research managers and technicians.
- Ability to lead effectively without formal authority in cross-functional internal and external environments.
- Strong background in potato production, ag research, and sustainability with focus on applied commercialization strategies.
- Proficient in analyzing, interpreting, and presenting commercial, research, and survey data.
- Skilled at quickly and accurately identifying trends and correlations in both internal and external data sources.
>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 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
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
