Pepsico: R&G Traineeship Programme 2026

Location: Gauteng, Western Cape

Overview

• Assist with trial protocols and issue to key stakeholders post alignment with R&D Technologist / R&D Manager
• Assist with organizing and execute assigned research and development projects for 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 execution of prototype to support around pilot plant trials.
• Support the R&D technologist to execute production trials for low complexity projects and report trial results to R&D Manager utilizing the TSG methodology:
  • Define and align trial protocols which is pre-aligned with the R&D technologist.
  • Communicate trial request with relevant stakeholders and support the setup of pre-trial meetings.
  • Attend pilot plant and factory trials as and when needed by the R&D technologist.

Responsibilities

Responsible for routine analytical and product quality tests.

• Lead base product collection from the production lines for development at pilot plant level
• Collaborate with product developers
• Supporteffective work in the pilot plant keeping GMP andgeneral good hygiene practices in place.
• Support R&D Tech/ New EHS representative on EHS initiatives (both local and onsite requirements- a few of which areadhoc)
• Online training to enhance business knowledge
• Conduct seasoning applications, ensuring in specification salt results are attained
• Conduct following Laboratory tests:
  • Salt Analysis
  • Oil Analysis
  • Bulk Density Analysis
  • Particle Size Analysis
  • Moisture Analysis

Other project support areas

• 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 Project lead
• Deliver concise,accurateand complete reporting on projects to Line Manager and Project Teams, with guidance on recommendations for ingredient, formulae and process conditions
• Draft R&D technical data such as artwork specifications, processspecificationsand finished pack standards with approval from Project Manager
• Work with Regulatory to ensure legal compliance

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification:

• Successfully completed the Theoretical part of their studies in  scientific field with > 60% Average and in there last year of studies. (Biochemistry, Food Technology or Engineering)
•  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
• 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.