Plant Pathologist

Overview

This position with the R&D Agricultural Science team will unlock future growth for regional pest and disease solutions in crops important to PepsiCo. This role supports research and the identification of pests and diseases in production regions with an emphasis on potatoes, oats, and other crops relevant to business. This multi-region role will partner with global future farm teams by supporting the development of advantaged raw materials addressing quality, food safety, and supply chain resilience. They will work with a global multi-disciplinary team complementing PepsiCo's genetics, breeding, system biology, agronomy, and sustainability activities.

Responsibilities

• Deliver on project goals that support pests and disease resistance solutions, including owning the experimental lifecycle: develop strategies, negotiate costs, design experiments, organize and analyze emergent data, generate reports, and present conclusions and recommendations back to the business

• Decide/Execute

• Partner with internal variety-specific agronomy (VSA) trialing teams for improved biotic stress resistance/tolerance and support sustainable regional agronomic practices for pest and disease management

• Execute/Inform

• Function as a regional subject matter expert in pest and disease identification for PepsiCo.

• Consult

• Operate in a highly collaborative environment that includes regional leads, breeders, physiologists, molecular/biochemical scientists, agronomists, farm personnel, technicians, and data modelers.

• Influence

• Identify regional collaborators with expertise, and manage collaborative partnerships to evaluate region-specific pathogens and pests on PepsiCo crop varieties to align with PEP+ sustainability goals

• Execute/Influence

• Conduct high-quality research on crop pathology to future-proof the business against resistance breakdown, changing pathogen populations, identification of novel resistance or solutions, and other evolving factors affecting pest and disease resistance.

• Decide/Execute

• Prepare AOP budget for regional trialing activities and track spend against all projects

• Execute

• Provide regular and timely project progress updates to senior stakeholders to ensure continued alignment with business objectives

• Execute/Influence

Compensation and Benefits:

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $85,200 - $142,650 based on a full-time schedule.

• Location, confirmed job-related skills and experience will be considered in setting actual starting salary.

• Bonus based on performance and eligibility; target payout is 10% 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

• PhD in Plant Pathology, Agronomy, Plant Science, Horticulture, Crop Science, Crop Protection, or Plant Breeding, Agricultural Sciences or related discipline with a minimum of 5 years of commercial experience or equivalent (Masters with >8 years Strongly desire 3+ years comm.ercial experience at Agricultural Science company in the field of seed science and technology.

• Exemplary skills and knowledge in the identification of pests and diseases in key PepsiCo crops (i.e. potatoes, oats, etc.)

• Demonstrate successful experience in the design and analysis of plant pathology research (field and laboratory), including identification of pathogen/pest, phenotyping plant response to pest/disease, and disease scoring evaluation in crops relevant to business (i.e potatoes, oats, others)

• Previous experience in managing data streams, quantitative and statistical data analysis, and maintaining accurate records of scientific activities

• Excellent communication and networking ability with internal and external audiences with a wide range of scientific expertise.

• Ability to work closely with colleagues and external collaborators on complex projects with a high degree of flexibility and comfort with change while maintaining scientific excellence.

Differentiating Competencies Required

• A self-motivated and proactive individual with demonstrated past experiences in reaching objectives.

• Proficient at identifying and leveraging collaboration with regional experts in academic, government, and private industry for pest and disease solutions across multiple time zones.

• Experience in the R&D industry with knowledge of both plant breeding practices and principles of agronomic investigation is an advantage

• An extensive network of colleagues within the international plant pathology community is a benefit

• Experience in fruit/veg plant pathology, IPM or crop chemistry is an advantage.

• Able to travel internationally for up to 50% time with limited notice to changing regional pest and disease pressures.

EEO Statement

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.

Please view our Pay Transparency Statement