You’ve learned a lot as a student already. Want to put it into practice at PepsiCo? 

Our placement programmes are structured to give you the chance to make an impact on some of the world’s biggest brands. From day one, you’ll be working on projects that matter. You’ll shake things up, shape trends, and get guidance and development to help you discover your potential. 

We’re home to some of the world’s favourite brands, such as Walkers, Pepsi Max, Quaker, Tropicana, Doritos, Pipers, Naked, Copella, Lipton, Monster Munch and 7UP to name just a few! Our business covers the full product lifecycle from creating new flavours in our labs to dreaming up ad campaigns and delivering packs to stores. There’s plenty in between too.  

We build brands we are really proud of and we have a mission to create more smiles with every sip and bite. Here at PepsiCo we think like entrepreneurs. We voice opinions fearlessly. We celebrate diversity and differences. We care about growing sustainably. And we get a lot of free Doritos.  

We are looking for enthusiastic undergraduates to join our Quality & Food Safety Teams in Leicester, Cupar & Coventry on a 12 month placement programme.  
 

“I was welcomed by the friendly yet hard working and professional environment that is central to PepsiCo’s culture. My work at PepsiCo has filled me with a great sense of pride and they have definitely helped me prepare for my final year at University as well as whatever my future career may hold.” 

Sophie Clark 
 

Every day millions of people in the UK enjoy our oats, snacks, juices and beverages. As a placement student within Supply Chain you will have the opportunity to join our 4,500 strong team who are behind these household names. As a function we are spread across 10 sites which include our Quaker Oats Mill in Cupar and our Walkers Crisp factory in Leicester – the largest crisp factory in the world. 

Undergraduate placement students have an important part to play in our future and we provide a perfect environment for individuals to develop, whilst feeling valued and having lots of fun. You will have lots of autonomy where your decisions will really make a difference to our business and in return you will have the chance to develop your skills and experience in a fast paced, energetic environment.  

What will you be doing? 

• To support the Quality & Food Safety Team on delivering key Quality and Food Safety initiatives, specifically the key metrics for the site. This will include 

• Supporting the Quality Specialists through trending of Consumer Complaints plus identification and facilitation of work streams for complaint reduction opportunities with site manufacturing teams 

• Supporting the Food Safety Team to drive food safety performance through completion of audits and taking an active role in root cause analysis following food safety issues 

• Supporting the site’s BRC Agenda by working on specific projects to drive continued improvements 

• You will be given real-life objectives to work on and will be expected to make a noticeable contribution to your department 

What are we looking for? 

• A student currently in the second year of university studies, where the course includes the option of completing a sandwich placement during the third year following path to a degree level qualification Food Science/Food Science & Technology/Food Manufacturing/Food and Consumer Studies or equivalent 

• Disruption. An intellectual curiosity and a willingness to challenge accepted ways of doing things 

• Passion. For our company, for your development and for sustainability. 

• Ambition. Eagerness to learn and grow your career and aspire to be our future leaders. 

• Creativity. Bring your new thinking and fresh ideas to our brands. 

• You! At PepsiCo we bring ourselves to work and embrace diversity and inclusion. We believe our differences is what makes us special. 

• Good verbal and written communication skills 

• High degree of initiative and drive to maintain and improve Food Safety and Quality within a Manufacturing Facility 

• Can think of new and innovative ways to develop systems and make existing things work more efficiently 

• An intellectual curiosity and a willingness to challenge accepted ways of doing things 

• Agile – Flexible approach with the ability to work with a demanding agenda and prioritise tasks 
   

Hear what our current undergraduate placement students have to say:  

‘From day one, I have been involved in a number of projects which has allowed me to connect with many employees across various departments. Everyone I have met has been extremely helpful and supportive which has really helped me to further develop my knowledge and skills from university and apply them to real-life industrial applications. This placement has made me very eager and enthusiastic to complete my degree and fulfil a role within the manufacturing industry’ 

Aimee  Scott  

‘ This placement has been a great opportunity to put in to practice much of the theory learnt at University, support by people with many years of experience in the industry! With the autonomy to develop my own strategy, I am building the confidence to collaborate with people at all levels of a multi-national organisation and I have the flexibility to tailor my experience to maximise my personal development’ 

Mia Ainscough 
 

What else do you need to know? 

This 12 month placement starts in July 2022, with a salary of £21,000 

Other benefits: 

• Vibrant culture 

• Development and mentoring 

• 25 days annual leave plus 8 days bank holidays  

• Discounted PepsiCo products 

• Competitive pension scheme 

• And a whole lot more… 

“The opportunities that PepsiCo have offered me as part of my role have been tremendous. I have been involved in multiple projects and activities on top of my day-to-day role which keeps my placement super exciting. I have met some outstanding and friendly people who I know I will keep in touch with after my placement year. The culture here is so collaborative and supportive that I’m never afraid to ask questions or ask to learn new things.” 

Niyanee Porte 

Application Closing Date: 1st November 2021 

Our application window is scheduled to close on the above date, however, in the event of a large response we will close applications early. We would therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 

Assessment Centre Date: w/c 22nd November

***At PepsiCo we care about diversity. That’s why all of our student opportunities are being advertised & recruited using Be Applied, a platform that uses anonymised applications and skills based hiring to reduce bias. Please note: only applications received via Be Applied will be considered. ***

What does this mean for you? As an applicant, you will no longer submit a CV for review. Instead you will answer a selection of hypothetical, skills-based questions alongside verbal and numerical reasoning tests.
 

**Please note if you require any additional time for your timed verbal and numerical reasoning assessment, please email hello@beapplied.com with your name, email address and role details and they will be able to arrange this for you before you submit an application**