R&D Region Associate Technician in Leicester

The R&D Technician supports the Europe Foods R&D product development teams through a variety of activities. This includes sample preparation, management and analysis, data and sample collection during trials, and the creation of prototype samples. The role operates across both PepsiCo and third‑party facilities, requiring the ability to balance rigour, creativity and initiative while consistently maintaining compliance with R&D, food safety and quality standards. Activities supported include but are not limited to DODs, shelf‑life studies, Europe‑wide trials, stock ordering and movement, gold‑standard logistics and PVQ.

Responsibilities

• Support Europe Foods R&D teams through delivery of core operational activities, including sample preparation, trials, testing and logistics.
• Ensure work is executed accurately, on time and in full compliance with food safety, quality and R&D standards, enabling efficient delivery of the R&D project pipeline and AOP.
• Plan, organise, execute and communicate assigned project support tasks with autonomous ownership, whilst maintaining a high level of confidentiality and integrity.
• Support the team to ensure all base, samples, raw materials and documentation are delivered, labelled, stored, controlled and dispatched appropriately, in line with site, food safety and quality requirements, along with accurate documentation and compliance with customs and transportation requirements.
• Contribute to product testing activities by ensuring samples are prepared, handled and delivered in a timely manner and meet required quality standards, demonstrating a clear understanding of the role of testing in supporting R&D decision‑making.
• Support Technologists and Project Managers during plant trials across European production sites, completing assigned operational tasks and ensuring accurate, timely and complete reporting of trial activities and outcomes.
• Develop and prepare prototype samples under the direction of the project manager, using safe and best‑practice operation of bench‑scale and pilot‑scale equipment.
• Contribute to local workstreams aimed at improving R&D Operations ways of working, including improvements to business processes, efficiency, knowledge sharing and day‑to‑day collaboration across the team.
• Support seasoning functionality testing and report the data to Product Developers in line with agreed methods and timelines.

Qualifications

• Practical experience within a food production environment, including R&D laboratory, pilot plant and/or site‑based operations in an FMCG context; experience with seasoning and/or packaging is advantageous.
• Sound understanding of food safety, quality and compliance requirements, including knowledge of AIB standards, to ensure product is prepared, handled and delivered appropriately.
• Understanding of R&D operational processes, including sampling, trials support, testing, logistics, documentation and compliance activities.
• Demonstrated ability to organise, plan and autonomously execute operational and project support tasks, maintaining a high level of confidentiality, integrity and attention to detail.
• Computer literate - familiar with Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and online collaboration tools, with the ability to maintain accurate operational records and planning tools.
• Self‑starter with a collaborative mindset, able to work both independently and as part of a team, demonstrating resilience and perseverance to achieve delivery objectives.
• Ability and willingness to work safely in laboratory, pilot plant and manufacturing‑scale environments, with flexibility to travel as required.
• Fluent spoken and written English.
• Numerate to GCSE standard (Maths, Science and English).
• Full UK driving license.

Differentiating Competencies Required

• Ability to manage workload and work to a defined timeline.
• Attention to detail.
• Self‑starter, self‑motivating: able to work with agility without losing momentum and manage uncertainty with ability to deal with change.
• Good team worker.
• Able to communicate verbally and in writing to all levels internally and to commercial partners when required.
• To be able to manage priorities by full alignment with Line Manager and Execution and Planning Lead on a day to day basis.