Process Automation Lead

Overview

Process Automation Lead's role is to manage entire portfolio of Process Automation (RPA, LCNC) across PepsiCo. Following are key attributes/focus areas/scope of the role:

• Process & Workflow Automation
• Automation solution visioning, estimation, roadmaps, delivery
• Automation KPIs management & growth
• Low code No Code Automation
• Automation solution architecture
• Self Service Enablement (Automation focus)
• Citizen Development
• Automation Program Delivery
• E2E delivery for Automation enabled Transformation
• Automation Solution design
• Resource allocation & staffing
• Reusable Automation components for rapid deployment
• Solution development
• Automation Methods and Tools
• Self-service Developer tool Marketplace and onboarding
• Transformation / Sector Engagement
• Sustain Processes management for solutions in production
• Gen AI enabled Automation design & delivery
• Agentic Automation delivery
• Value realization & ROI focus
• Business ready Automation solutions

Responsibilities

• Process Automation Portfolio Management: Lead and manage portfolio of already functional 600+ automation solutions and scale this portfolio to 2X its current scale YoY. Introducing thought leadership to drive efficiencies across automation lifecycle management
• Demand Intake Process & Governance: Oversee the demand intake process from initial request through program execution. Collaborate with sectors, markets, and capability teams to assess, prioritize, and align new initiatives with PepsiCo's strategic goals and financial thresholds.
• Prioritization Process: Effectively prioritize incoming demands and allocate resources across the portfolio. Ensure that the most critical initiatives are addressed and completed promptly, ensuring alignment with strategic business priorities.
• Automation Portfolio Performance Management: Develop and track performance KPIs for each program and subprogram to monitor progress and ensure timely delivery of outcomes. Lead monthly SteerCo sessions to provide senior leadership with updates on portfolio health, performance, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Cost & Benefits Management: Oversee and track program costs and benefits realization across the portfolio, ensuring alignment with budget and financial targets. Collaborate with finance to optimize ROI, while regularly reporting to senior leadership.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Align senior leadership and functional teams regarding new demands, expectations, and resource prioritization. Ensure clear communication and collaboration to keep all stakeholders informed and engaged.
• Leadership & Team Development: Provide leadership and guidance to Automation leads, ensuring effective design, development and high-quality results. Foster a high-performance culture by mentoring, coaching, and supporting team members in their development.
• Risk Management: Proactively identify risks across the portfolio and develop mitigation plans. Ensure key risks and issues are escalated and addressed promptly to minimize impact on program delivery.
• Continuous Improvement & Best Practices: Lead the enhancement of Automation lifecycle management processes and methodologies to improve efficiency, consistency, and alignment across teams. Promote and implement best practices for process automation design & development, ensuring adherence to governance frameworks and reporting standards across all programs.

Qualifications

• 15-20 years of professional work experience, extensive experience in process automation portfolio, ideally with a global scope.
• Proven track record in automation lifecycle management, including demand intake, governance, program execution, and financial oversight.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing cross-functional teams to drive high performance.
• Exceptional ability to influence and collaborate with senior leaders and key stakeholders across the organization.
• In-depth knowledge of automation lifecycle, risk management strategies and the ability to develop mitigation plans for complex solutions and programs.
• Expertise in continuous improvement, developing automation standardized methodologies, and optimizing processes to improve automation solution project execution and deliver greater business value.
• Strong process & business acumen, with a focus on aligning portfolio outcomes to broader business and financial goals.
• Process & Project Management certifications on PMP, Lean Six Sigma, and Agile preferred

RPA & Automation Technologies

• UiPath (preferred), Power Automate, Automation Anywhere - Experience designing, implementing, and scaling automations.
• Orchestrator & BOT Management - proficient with deployment, monitoring, and exception handling.
• Process Mining - Familiarity with tools like Celonis to identify automation opportunities and inefficiencies.
• Document Understanding / Intelligent Automation - Expert with OCR, ML/AI-based extraction, and cognitive services.
• Task Mining - Familiarity with tools like Mimica, Soroco to identify automation opportunities and productivity

Microsoft Power Platform

• Power Automate - Workflow automation, approval processes, system integrations.
• Power Apps - Custom app development (canvas and model-driven apps).
• Power BI - Interactive reporting and dashboards, DAX, data modeling.
• Dataverse / SharePoint / SQL - Data source integration and relational modeling.