Director, SC Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) - Dairy & Coffee Portfolio

February 28, 2026

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Location: Field Support Area – Available sites: Plano, Texas; Purchase, New Jersey; Chicago, IllinoisTravel Requirements: 50%+ across U.S. sites The Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) Director is responsible for ensuring food safety, product and packaging quality, regulatory compliance, and consumer satisfaction across the supply chain in their assigned area, covering both manufacturing and distribution sites. This role provides subject matter expertise in dairy and coffee, supporting innovation and operational excellence while maintaining an unwavering commitment to Food Safety & Quality. Working closely with the Sr. Director FSQ and Vice President, the FSQ Director helps shape strategy, programs, and governance while driving continuous improvement of Food Safety & Quality systems. This includes reviewing current FSQ performance, adapting to evolving regulations, and responding to customer expectations. The FSQ Director delivers results through servant leadership, technical guidance, capability building, and the implementation of robust standards, tools, and standardized procedures. They provide support to field locations—including warehouses and plant operations—while collaborating with cross-functional partners. Additionally, the Director mentors and develops their direct reports, ensuring strong alignment with departmental initiatives and reinforcing the company’s high FSQ standards and consumer expectations. Key Responsibilities<ul><li>Protect the PepsiCo trademark by ensuring product safety, quality, and regulatory compliance across all operations.</li><li>Lead Food Safety & Quality initiatives by coaching and supporting employees who work directly with manufacturing plants and distribution warehouses.</li><li>Monitor, report, and drive improvements in FSQ performance across plants and warehouses, including:</li><li>Trade program compliance</li><li>Product and package quality</li><li>Consumer quality metrics</li><li>Plant quality standards</li><li>Quality Audit Systems (QAS) compliance</li><li>Food Safety & Quality Systems compliance</li><li>Achieve and maintain Food Safety Management System certification and ensure zero product recalls.</li><li>Develop and implement programs and tools to monitor performance and drive continuous improvement.</li><li>Coach and train personnel to strengthen leadership, technical expertise, and effective use of FSQ systems and tools.</li><li>Establish strong communication channels with employees, plants, divisions, sectors, global FSQ teams (COBO, FOBO), co-packers, joint ventures, and warehouse operations.</li><li>Support the development and deployment of FSQ strategy across units, pods, warehouse operations, corporate entities, and plant operations.</li><li>Assess field capabilities and create action plans to address weaknesses and leverage strengths.</li><li>Conduct proactive assessments and governance reviews to ensure compliance with FSQ requirements.</li><li>Monitor sanitation and microbiological compliance and respond to issues promptly.</li><li>Ensure laboratory standards are properly assessed, implemented, and maintained.</li><li>Collaborate with colleagues to design and execute strategies for beverage sector standardization.</li></ul> Basic QualificationsTechnical Skills<ul><li>Extensive technical knowledge of dairy beverage industry processes.</li><li>Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) Certification.</li><li>Aseptic and Better Process Control Certification.</li><li>Retort BPCS Certification.</li><li>HACCP Certification.</li><li>Food Defense Intentional Adulteration Qualified Individual Certification.</li><li>PCQI Lead Instructor Certification.</li><li>Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.</li><li>Advanced analytical capability with a solid understanding of statistics and ability to coach statistical principles.</li><li>Background in microbiology and sanitation.</li><li>Deep knowledge of GMP requirements and beverage industry processes.</li><li>Ability to lead and influence others through technical expertise.</li><li>Strong data-driven decision-making skills, using metrics and facts to drive change.</li><li>Ability to challenge operational paradigms through technical knowledge.</li><li>Knowledge of coffee processing (preferred).</li></ul>Leadership Skills<ul><li>Excellent communication and writing skills.</li><li>Proven ability to manage annual Travel & Expense budgets.</li><li>Strong influencing skills and ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.</li><li>Demonstrated leadership in managing diverse teams and fostering inclusion.</li><li>Highly motivated, self-directed, and politically savvy to drive change at all organizational levels.</li><li>Ability to assign food safety responsibilities across the organization.</li><li>Experience collaborating with multiple PepsiCo functions (SSM, R&D, Legal, Regulatory, Food Safety, Finance, Sales, Warehouse, Distribution).</li><li>Skilled in partnering with raw material and packaging suppliers to ensure quality standards.</li><li>Ability to build strong professional relationships with franchise and co-pack operation leaders to drive continuous quality improvement.</li></ul>Education & Experience<ul><li>Bachelor of Science in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.</li><li>15+ years of experience in the food or beverage industry.</li><li>10+ years of experience in Food Safety & Quality.</li><li>7+ years of experience in dairy manufacturing.</li></ul> 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 age, 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 / Age 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

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