R&D Design & Transformation Manager (Non-Specifications Capabilities)

GCC removes duplication, increases consistency, centralizes critical capabilities to help speed up decision making, all of which will free up resources and funds to reinvest in our R&D operations and help local teams accelerate growth.

R&D GCC has been operational for 2yrs, and this role is an evolution of a purely ‘Design’ function into one that is now additionally accountable for leading and / or supporting the Global R&D ‘Transformation’ of capabilities other than specification established in GCC. This primarily includes Tech Knowledge Management, Tech Market Analysis, Tech Project management, Simulation/ Modelling and Statistics COE. This aims to manage and build R&D business services in the non-specification areas by identifying white spaces, exploring new opportunities including those that were deemed non-eligible in the first phase of GCC. This role will further collaborate with capability teams/ PEX team to identify opportunities and implement digital capabilities to digitize and automate the existing processes to drive additional efficiency.

This role has direct responsibility for Capability Penetration within GCC by implementation of aligned R&D designs for transition, outlining roadmaps for phased and/or fragmented lift and shift transitions, leading white space analysis. All whilst setting up strong governance models with GCC teams in Mexico and India.

• Lead overall transition management through flawless execution of Design & Transition playbooks. Align and subsequently build project deliverables in partnership with GCC Capability Leads and R&D Stakeholders (=BU). Design right-sized future state in collaboration with India and Mexico Hub management to ensure transition execution excellence and effective sustain models for ongoing service. Ensure Governance process for transition is executed flawlessly with connectivity into R&D, GCC hubs and relevant Ecosystem/ CoE teams. Secure hand off with Service Delivery Teams and where necessary to ensure sustained success, implement a hyper-care phase following Go-Live. Track costs with R&D finance and work towards agreed productivity targets.
• Assess R&D for opportunities for GCC support. Review existing Non-Spec R&D Capabilities and identify white spaces and optimize and standardize current capabilities e.g., Review / explore white spaces never in-scope or those that were deemed GCC-ineligible in the first phase of standing up of GCC.
• Partner with R&D to review where external service spend happens. Sector, Category and Function detailed understanding is needed. E.g., External website development and sustain / External vendors for data analysis / modelling and simulation / AI / ML etc.
• Build links with the S&T PEX organization to be informed of current projects. Understand PEX’s selection process and project prioritization and if Transition of a new Capability or the ‘fix’ element of a Transition does not qualify assume Project Leadership for value unlocks and/or productivity savings.
• Leverage existing Design to challenge complexity, drive process simplification and continuous improvement. Collaborate with both Mexico and India Hubs to share DTPs and best practices to implement opportunities, leverage best practice OLA/SLA development and KPIs to guarantee success of ongoing business.
• Define new digital capabilities to automate existing processes. Independently build the business case and partner with R&D capability lead to build and deploy across GCC teams. Quantify and track delivered value and efficiency
• Lead execution of change management and communication activities, working with Change Management COE where possible to ensure clear communication.
• Efficiency - Drive Efficiency through automation / optimization and standardization to the tune of 10% year on year. Total FTEs in scope is 100+ across 6 Capabilities.

• >10 yrs experience in Food and or Beverage Technical/ R&D in FMGC/CPG companies. Experience in digital transformation is an added advantage.
• Preferable to have >5yrs experience in PepsiCo R&D.
• Excellent leadership and stakeholder management skills (often within a matrix organization), driving a complex agenda - Needs to be able to influence R&D leadership for alignment of Design. Must interface well in groups from different functions and levels, sometimes with conflicting agenda/priorities.
• Strong project management experience
• Strategic capability with sharp analytical skill to link strategies and objectives together to develop a plan
• Tech savvy: comfortable navigating digital tools and basic tech environments (e.g., Using Low-code/No-code Platforms / AI / Data standards). Logical systems thinker, understanding how individual parts need to integrate into an overall system in a structured step-by-step manner.
• Outstanding communication and presentational skills, excellent in taking others with you at various levels of the organization ranging from SMEs to senior Executives across Global Sectors to drive transformational changes.
• Proven ability to effectively manage high volume workload and multiple priorities in a fast-paced highly demanding project R&D environment.
• Experience leading change programs with complex people related impacts.
• Continuous improvement experience (preferred)