About PepsiCo

PepsiCo is one of the world's leading food and beverage companies, with a diverse portfolio that includes iconic brands like Pepsi, Gatorade, Lay's, and Quaker. Operating in over 200 countries, PepsiCo employs more than 300,000 people globally and generates annual revenues exceeding $86 billion. In China, PepsiCo has a strong presence, driving innovation in snacks, beverages, and experiential marketing. As a leader in sustainable growth, PepsiCo is committed to positive change through initiatives like pep+ (PepsiCo Positive), focusing on healthier products, sustainable packaging, and community impact. Joining PepsiCo means contributing to a legacy of bold innovation and consumer delight.

Role Overview

The Experience Design Manager at PepsiCo in Shanghai is a pivotal role within the Brand Experience Design team. This position involves co-creating, managing, and executing holistic brand-related experiences across PepsiCo's portfolio of activation projects. Reporting to the Experience Design lead, you will partner with internal teams and external collaborators to deliver superior design practices spanning strategic, physical, graphic, and interaction design challenges. From ideation to execution, you'll bring brand strategies to life in the built environment, working with architects, engineers, and contractors. This full-time role demands creativity, precision, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, cross-functional environment.

Key Impact Areas

Your work will directly influence PepsiCo's brand activations in China, ensuring consistency with evolving brand standards while incorporating market trends, consumer insights, and pop culture elements. Ideal for designers passionate about experiential retail, environmental design, and brand storytelling.

Key Responsibilities

As Experience Design Manager, your core duties include:

• Creating processes and final project visualizations, including renderings and sketches, based on direction from the Experience Design lead for internal and external deliverables.
• Iterating on designs incorporating feedback to align with brand standards and ensure consistency.
• Developing and revising design projects from concept through to production, leveraging high-quality execution.
• Producing accurate brand playbook assets and imagery for strategic use.
• Presenting design concepts in a clear, concise manner, with excellent presentation skills as a key advantage.
• Quickly sketching ideas to communicate concepts effectively during team sessions.
• Collaborating cross-functionally within the design center to support experience design initiatives.
• Ideating and constructing concepts in a team-based environment, contributing to brainstorm sessions with creativity and foresight.
• Meeting project deadlines while managing multiple high-priority initiatives.
• Delivering high-quality experience design solutions by executing designs and utilizing internal/external resources.

Qualifications & Requirements

To succeed in this role, candidates must possess:

• 6+ years of experience in environmental, retail, or brand design.
• Solid expertise in interior design, product design, graphic design, and brand design.
• Proficiency with 3D modeling software such as Rhinoceros, SketchUp, or Solidworks.
• Experience with 3D rendering tools like Keyshot or V-Ray.
• Extraordinary command of Adobe Creative Suite for graphic and visual assets.
• Strong hand-sketching abilities or software-based concept visualization skills.
• Excellent multitasking, time management, and project management capabilities.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders across brands and functions.
• Track record of incorporating primary and secondary research into strategic design processes.
• Experience identifying market trends and consumer behaviors to build strategic efforts.
• Compelling presentation, proposal, and communication skills in oral and written English.
• Comfort in ambiguous, dynamic environments with an entrepreneurial spirit, curiosity, and exceptional design taste.

Preferred Traits

Team-oriented mindset, optimism, and a keen sense of pop culture, tech, graphic design, and emerging trends.

Benefits & Perks

PepsiCo offers a premium compensation package tailored to top talent in China:

• Competitive base salary estimated at $80,000 - $120,000 USD annually, with performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement savings plans with company matching.
• Generous paid time off, parental leave, and flexible working arrangements.
• Professional development opportunities, including design workshops, leadership training, and global rotations.
• Employee discounts on PepsiCo products and wellness programs promoting work-life balance.
• Modern office in Shanghai with collaborative spaces designed for creativity.

Career Growth

At PepsiCo, career progression is driven by performance and potential. As Experience Design Manager, you'll have access to mentorship from senior design leaders, cross-functional projects across Asia-Pacific, and pathways to roles like Senior Design Director or Global Brand Experience Lead. PepsiCo invests in upskilling through platforms like PepsiCo University, certifications in emerging tools (e.g., AI-driven design), and international exposure. High performers often advance rapidly in this high-visibility function.

Why Join Us

PepsiCo's Shanghai team is at the forefront of China's dynamic consumer market, blending global strategies with local insights. Work on high-profile activations for brands loved by millions, in a culture that values innovation, diversity, and sustainability. With a focus on entrepreneurship and design excellence, this role offers unparalleled opportunities to shape PepsiCo's experiential future in one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

Role FAQs

Q: Is bilingual proficiency required? Yes, proficiency in oral and written English is essential; Mandarin is advantageous for local collaboration.

Q: What software stack is used? Core tools include Rhinoceros/SketchUp, Keyshot/V-Ray, and Adobe Creative Suite, with flexibility for others.

Q: Is travel involved? Occasional domestic travel for project executions and vendor meetings.

Q: How does PepsiCo support work-life balance? Through flexible hours, wellness perks, and a results-oriented culture.

Q: What's the team structure? Collaborative design center with cross-functional partners in marketing, engineering, and procurement.