Senior Scientist, Variety Specific Agronomy (VSA)

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In this role, you will be part of the Advanced Trialing Team within PepsiCo's North America R&D Ag Science Variety Trialing organization. As a Scientist in Variety Specific Agronomy (VSA), you will play a pivotal role in advancing our chipping potato portfolio by designing, executing, and interpreting field and storage trials across North America. Working closely with potato breeders, you'll help select top-performing varieties and recommend sustainable, high-performance crop practices and technologies. Your expertise in research agronomy and project management will drive innovation across our ingredient supply chain, unlocking data-driven insights that link regional trials to broader global programs.

You will focus on delivering impactful research in agronomy, breeding, and AgTech, including the identification and validation of new varieties and the development of cutting-edge farming practices. Your contributions will be foundational to PepsiCo's beloved products and instrumental in delivering our Positive Agriculture (Pep+) goals across our global sourcing footprint.

Responsibilities

You will bring a unique set of skills and experiences to deliver across key areas:

• Foundational subject matter expertise in the identification and advancement of top-performing varieties and practices in potatoes, grains, or other specialty crops, aligned with Pep+ goals.

• Apply advanced expertise in trial design, data analysis, and systems biology to evaluate varieties, practices, and technologies for optimal on-farm performance.

• Own and manage field and storage trials across North America, including trial design, execution, data interpretation, and reporting.

• Design and lead storage research programs, optimizing post-harvest handling practices and establishing best-in-class protocols.

• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners-breeders, growers, CROs, universities, and vendors-to deliver on project goals and timelines.

• Serve as a technical liaison to growers, CROs, universities, and internal teams, ensuring aligned project execution and timeline adherence.

Compensation & Benefits:

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $76,400 - $127,850.

• Location, confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting actual starting salary. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.

• Bonus based on performance and eligibility target payout is 8% of annual salary paid out annually.

• Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.

• In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

Qualifications

• BS with 5+ years, MS with 3+ years of experience or PhD with 2+ years of experience in Agriculture, Crop Science, Plant Physiology, or a related field

• Corporate experience in the Ag Seed, Chemical, or Food industry, preferably with potatoes, grains, or vegetables

• Preferred experience in seed production, supply planning, and storage management

EEO Statement

Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901-4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity

If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy.

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