R&D Learnership Opportunity at PepsiCo in South Africa
Are you a final-year science student looking for a real research opportunity and industry exposure? This R&D WIL Learnership at PepsiCo Careers offers hands-on experience in food innovation, product testing, and pilot-plant trials in a global FMCG environment.
About PepsiCo:
PepsiCo is a global leader in the food and beverage industry, known for its diverse product portfolio. The company focuses on innovation, sustainability, and the delivery of high-quality products while investing in future talent through structured learning programs.
Details:
- Role: R&D WIL Learnership (Nutrition Science)
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
- Type: Learnership
- Department: Research & Development
- ID: 444071
- Work Mode: Onsite
- Eligibility: Final-year students in scientific fields
Role Overview:
- Assist with trial protocols and issues to key stakeholders post alignment with the R&D Technologist / R&D Manager
- Assist with organizing and executing assigned research and development projects for the SA R&D team. (Calendar Delivery) covering work streams ranging from very limited partial autonomous ownership through to transactional and hoc delivery.
- Support the R&D Technologist across the relevant product platform to deliver low complexity projects. Specifically focused on the execution of the prototype to support the pilot plant trials.
- Support the R&D technologist to execute production trials for low complexity projects and report trial results to R&D
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead base product collection from the production lines for development at the pilot plant level
- Collaborate with product developers in this R&D Learnership role
- Support effective work in the pilot plant, maintaining GMP and general hygiene practices.
- Support R&D Tech/ New EHS representative on EHS initiatives (both local and onsite requirements- a few of which are ad hoc)
- Online training to enhance business knowledge
- Conduct seasoning applications, ensuring in specification salt results are attained
- Conduct the following Laboratory tests: Salt Analysis, Oil Analysis. Bulk Density Analysis, Particle Size Analysis, and Moisture Analysis in this Research Opportunity.
- Compile project timelines and communicate to relevant teams to ensure required equipment and resources are available for use
- Execute scale-up activities within PepsiCo-owned Production Plants and pre-selected Co-manufacturers by working closely with the Project Lead in this R&D Learnership role at PepsiCo Careers
- Deliver concise, accurate, and complete reporting on projects to the Line Manager and Project Teams, with guidance on recommendations for ingredients, formulae, and process conditions in this Research Opportunity.
- Draft R&D technical data, such as artwork specifications, process specifications, and finished pack standards, with approval from the Project Manager at PepsiCo Careers
- Work with Regulatory to ensure legal compliance
Educational Requirements for this Role:
Minimum Qualification:
- Successfully completed the Theoretical part of their studies in the scientific field with an average of> 60% Average and in their last year of studies. (Biochemistry, or Food Technology)
- South African citizen
- Good technical and analytical skills, basic knowledge of statistics, ability to interpret data and distil into useful and actionable information
- Supportive team player with an accurate, methodical, tidy, and reliable approach
- Excellent people skills
- Results-driven, demonstrate an ability to persevere and provide timely and direct feedback to others
- High degree of self-motivation combined with good organisational and interpersonal skills
- Eager to learn and use initiative, self-starter
- Ability to work independently and to deal with change and increasing complexity
- Integrity, Safeguard the Company’s designs, formulations, processes, and reputation in all matters
- A driving license will be an advantage.
Preferred Qualification:
- Ability to collaborate and communicate well within the R&D team and when needed with selected multiple business functions, including SC/OPS, Commercialization, and external partners (eg, CFAM, Clextral, Schaaf)
- Effective negotiation skills to ensure equitable use of shared resources.
- Have an up-to-date knowledge of technology and be able to absorb and apply this knowledge
- Creative thinking, be able to generate creative, workable ideas within the scope of projects.
- Results-driven, demonstrate an ability to persevere.
- Ability to be able to work independently and to deal with change and increasing complexity.
- Self-starter, self-motivating.
Benefits of the Role:
- Hands-on experience in R&D and food product development
- Exposure to pilot plant and manufacturing processes
- Opportunity to work with a global FMCG leader
- Skill development in laboratory testing and data analysis
- Networking with cross-functional teams
- Strong foundation for a career in food science and nutrition.
