Manufacturing Process Ops Leader

Overview

At PepsiCo, our mission is to create smiles around the world. With a portfolio of more than 500 beloved brands—including Gatorade, Lay’s, and Quaker—we reach millions of consumers every day.

The Process Improvement Engineer (PIE) leads plant-wide initiatives that improve productivity, efficiency, and operational performance. This role focuses on horizontal projects that span multiple lines and functions, serving as the key connection point between plant operations and enterprise-level productivity, strategic project, and sustainability teams. This position plays a critical role in advancing plant performance by identifying systemic losses, enabling breakthrough improvements, and influencing how the entire plant operates—ideal for engineers who excel at turning analysis into action.

Responsibilities

Monday-Friday 7am-4pm

Plant-Wide Improvement Leadership

• Lead horizontal process improvement projects that span multiple lines and functions

• Drive productivity and PEP-positive initiatives aligned with plant and business objectives

• Serve as the primary plant contact for strategic project, productivity, and enterprise-level improvement initiatives

Enterprise & Strategic Project Partnership

• Act as the plant “dock point” for initiatives including:

  • Value engineering
  • Lightweighting and material optimization
  • Strategic productivity and cost-out projects
  • Re-application initiatives
  • Rapid changeover improvements for flavor and packaging

• Partner with Strategic Projects, Productivity Leaders, Sustainability teams, and plant leadership to ensure alignment and execution

Loss Analysis & Performance Improvement

• Conduct detailed loss analysis using standard manufacturing and continuous improvement tools

• Provide plant-level downtime and performance analysis to identify systemic issues

• Translate data into clear improvement roadmaps with measurable outcomes

• Support operations in meeting service, flexibility, and efficiency targets

Project Execution & Operational Support

• Develop and execute large-scale efficiency improvement projects to close performance gaps

• Provide actionable insights to improve reliability, throughput, and line performance

• Collaborate with Process Coaches, Operations, Engineering, Tech Services, and Quality teams

• Ensure improvements are embedded and sustained through standard work

Capability Building

• Support capability development in problem-solving and continuous improvement methodologies

• Coach teams on structured CI tools and approaches

• Reinforce sustainable behaviors and standardization across the plant

Compensation and Benefits:

The expected compensation range for this position is between $73,400 - $122,850. 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

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering strongly preferred (Industrial, Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, or related field)

• 3* years of experience in manufacturing process improvement, productivity, or operational excellence

• Proficient in Microsoft Office

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills

• Experience leading cross-functional improvement projects

• Ability to influence without direct authority in a plant environment

• Experience in food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods manufacturing

• Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, IWS, or similar continuous improvement experience

• Experience with value engineering, lightweighting, or material optimization initiatives

• Project management experience or certification

• Strong organizational and data management skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

• Demonstrated success in a results-oriented, challenging environment

Preferred

• Experience with maintenance or technical operations

• Familiarity with engineering or maintenance-related systems and processes

Leadership & People Skills

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to drive change

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills

• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback

• Effective coaching, facilitation, presentation, and team-building skills

• Ability to lead a team-based approach to decision-making

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 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.