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 Research & Development team based in Leicester 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 

Innovation takes centre stage at PepsiCo! That means our Global R&D team are at the heart of the action and are kept busy creating exciting new products for consumers across the continent, from Leicester to Moscow. In a fast paced consumer environment, our research and development capability is crucial to provide a fresh twist to our favourite brands as well as creating new healthy choices that we need to succeed in the market. Focusing our research and development on meeting the latest consumer needs - whether nutrition, refreshment or indulgence –will drive our growth both now and in the future. 

The Breakthrough Foods Process Team is responsible for creating bigger & more incremental foods innovation through the creation of consumer centric process technologies to drive growth in Global Foods.   

What will you be doing? 

• Participate in Early Stage Innovation projects to define consumer needs and business opportunities and the translation into process technology needs 

• Utilise Human Centred Design principles to define and create solutions with strong fundamentals for success with consumers 

• Apply 2D and 3D tools to aid visualisation of technology approaches and assist decisions on technical direction setting 

• Work with colleagues on technology scouting and landscaping activities to determine process technology enablers, whether that be adapting existing solutions or where there is a need to invent something new 

• Organise and execute experimental studies and trials in collaboration with project managers to screen candidate technologies and enable data based decisions 

• Where applicable, design new technologies to fulfil emerging functional needs and demonstrate proof of concept/principle via small scale prototyping techniques 

• Provide deeper understanding into how process parameters effect key product attributes by working with Subject matter experts, researching and analysing results from trials 

• Own and manage project activity with external and internal stakeholders 

• You’ll have considerable interaction with project team members from general operators, up to senior directors across multiple functions and disciplines 

• Maintain a systematic approach to scheduled work activities 

• Raise Purchase Orders for services and equipment needed to carry out key accountabilities: approval via Line Manager or Director 

 What are we looking for? 

• An undergraduate student where the course includes the option of completing a sandwich placement. Following path to a degree level qualification in Design Engineering focused courses 

• 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 

• Initiative and drive to deliver objectives with proactivity and multi-tasking 

• Keen to gain experience of working in the Food Industry 

What else do you need to know? 

The placement starts in July 2022, and will last for 12 months, 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 29th 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**