Beverages Packaging Senior Director - Sustainability

pep+ is PepsiCo’s strategic end-to-end transformation with sustainability at the center of how the company will create growth and value, by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for the planet and people.

Sustainable Packaging will be a critical element to help build a circular and inclusive Positive Value Chain, and we have set ambitious targets for our packaging:

• By 2030, cut virgin plastic from non-renewable sources per serving by 50%:

  • scaling new business models

  • reducing our absolute tonnage of non-renewable virgin plastic by 20%
    (including use of bio-based materials, and increasing recycled plastic content to 50%)

• Design 100% of packaging to be recyclable, compostable, biodegradable or reusable by 2025

• By 2030, help reduce our Scope 3 GHG emissions by 40%

With Beverages Packaging being just under 90% of PepsiCo’s plastic footprint, we will need a strong strategy & program to meet these targets, and so the Packaging Sustainability Strategy & Program Director will be a key role to provide the vision and strategic leadership to develop, lead and manage this program globally

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• development of the R&D packaging strategy for sustainability, finding technology solutions to enable the delivery of PepsiCo Positive ambition and targets. This will require significant breakthrough packaging technology that will be challenged to be both financially viable and compatible with PEP infrastructure

• deliver and maintain a roadmap to achieve these targets, balancing the short term commercialization program (eg rPET, 100% RCBR) with the long term science & technology program

• drive the implementation & commercialization of these solutions globally, through matrix responsibility with the sector R&D packaging teams, ensuring that we deliver the annual pep+ targets.

• by being fully conversant with the latest material and sustainability technologies and initiatives, personally drive the long-term science & technology program to find new sustainable materials, directly leading external collaborations with academia and new technology companies

• working with the design team and marketing, develop new business models for packaging which can significantly reduce our plastics use (e.g. refills, reuse, beyond the bottle), ensuring these models can be scaled sufficiently to have a big impact

• by combining a technical understanding of packaging and product life cycle management and business acumen, the Director will play a highly visible, cross-functional leadership role internally, with both cross functional partners, and to represent the program to Senior Leadership

• the person will represent PepsiCo externally in leadership forums and collaboration platforms across the industry, and promote and foster the success of relevant cpg consortia and alliances relevant to PepsiCo

• Provide leadership, capability development and career guidance for direct reports and overall packaging sustainability team, while managing a science & technology spend of over $5MM.

• Serve as Global packaging Sustainability Centre of Excellence, providing technical expertise (Formats, technology, materials), best practices, guidelines, and analytical support for all regions

• Using best practice portfolio governance, continually ensure the science & technology program is relevant and thorough, and where there are gaps, scout new technology idea

• COVID-19 vaccination is a condition of employment for this role. Please note that all such company vaccine requirements provide the opportunity to request an approved accommodation or exemption under applicable law

Qualifications/Requirements

• A minimum of a BS degree is required in environmental sciences or engineering (Packaging, Mechanical, Chemical, or related engineering science). An advanced degree such as an MS or an MBA is a plus.

• 10 - 15 years' experience in a packaging, environmental (sustainable) sciences or engineering field (preferably in the food or beverage industry)

• Functional knowledge: Well-versed in sustainability best practices at global CPG companies; specific knowledge of packaging materials, processes and recycling methods related to packaging. Awareness of best practices in sustainable packaging, including knowledge of regulations, laws, and guidelines

• Science & Technology expertise: very good materials technology understanding

• Analytical rigor and experience with environmental metrics

DIFFERENTIATING COMPETENCIES:

• Strategic development: Skilled at creating plans and strategies that lead to successful advancement of business goals. Knows how to balance sustainability goals with business objectives to generate win-win opportunities. identifies trends, thinking creatively and strategically

• Clarity in communications: Simplifying complexity, communicating in a clear and concise manner. Strong presentation skills and speaking ability; comfortable with interacting with senior leadership, to effectively interact with all levels of management and external stakeholders

• Business savvy: Understands trends, technology and information impacting the business and organization; knows how the business and competition works.

• External Partnerships: has experience of, and can lead, cross business relationships on sustainability, through industry groups membership, and CPG alliances and consortia

• Scientific curiosity: beyond just deep materials understanding, a desire and interest to seek out sustainability and materials science, gaining satisfaction in finding new ways to solve problems

• Collaborates Beyond Boundaries: Building networks internally and externally. Leverages cross functional partners to develop and implement programs which foster engagement

• Project Management: Leads complex change and transformation programs in alignment with business strategy

• Taking on new and complex challenges with energy and enthusiasm

Relocation Eligible: Eligible for Standard Relocation
Job Type: Regular


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

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.