About PepsiCo

PepsiCo is one of the world's leading food and beverage companies, with a portfolio that includes iconic brands like Pepsi, Lay's, Gatorade, and Quaker. Operating in over 200 countries, PepsiCo employs more than 300,000 people globally and is committed to sustainable growth, innovation, and delivering consumer-pleasing products. In Europe, PepsiCo drives culinary innovation through cutting-edge R&D centers, focusing on healthier, tastier, and more convenient food solutions. Our Barcelona facility in Cornella de Ll. is at the heart of this mission, blending culinary artistry with technical expertise to shape the future of food.

Role Overview

The Food Product Development Director, Culinary Innovation, is a pivotal leadership role at PepsiCo's Cornella de Ll., Barcelona location. This position bridges visionary chef-created concepts with practical, scalable products. You will build and refine innovation pipelines, transforming gold-standard culinary ideas into Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) that excel in real-world preparation systems. Collaborating with Food Technologists, Culinary teams, and external partners, you'll infuse agility and a maker mindset into every development phase—from ideation to pilot production. This role demands a blend of creativity, technical prowess, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver consumer-friendly innovations that retain culinary integrity while scaling efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

MVP Prototyping Leadership

Drive the creation of early-stage prototypes that convert chef-inspired gold standards into testable, scalable formats, ensuring products meet both culinary and production standards from the outset.

Preparation System Integration

Design and rigorously test reconstitution methods across common systems like oven, microwave, and sous-vide, optimizing preparation flows for superior usability, quality, and consumer experience.

Packaging Fit & Format Optimization

Work hand-in-hand with the Food Experience and Design team to integrate MVPs seamlessly into packaging, assembly, and consumption contexts, enhancing practicality and appeal.

Agile Sprints and Iteration

Engage in sprint cycles to test variations, incorporate insights, and iterate product designs swiftly with cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of rapid, data-driven innovation.

Co-Manufacturing and Supply Chain Partnership

Facilitate the handoff of MVPs to co-manufacturers for pilot trials, making real-time adjustments based on manufacturing constraints, ingredient availability, and supply chain dynamics.

Documentation and Communication

Maintain meticulous records of product builds, test results, preparation protocols, cost analyses, and improvement notes to ensure traceability, product safety, quality compliance, and readiness for full-scale production.

Qualifications & Requirements

To thrive in this role, candidates need a degree in Food Science, Product Design, Culinary Innovation, or a related field, coupled with 8-10 years of hands-on experience in culinary product development and prototyping. Success requires a self-starter mindset with a strong hands-on attitude and exceptional team collaboration skills. Key expertise includes consumer preparation systems, packaging integration, and cross-functional development processes. A solid understanding of culinary product quality aspects is essential, along with comfort navigating ambiguous, high-speed environments. Familiarity with co-manufacturing and pilot production is a valuable plus, enabling seamless transitions from lab to line.

Benefits & Perks

PepsiCo offers a premium compensation package for this Director-level role, estimated at €65,000 to €95,000 annually, reflecting Spain's Food & Beverage sector rates with a competitive buffer. Beyond salary, enjoy comprehensive health insurance, retirement savings plans, and generous paid time off. Wellness programs, on-site fitness facilities, and flexible hybrid work options support work-life balance. Professional perks include subsidized meals featuring PepsiCo products, employee discounts, and access to state-of-the-art innovation labs in Barcelona.

Career Growth

At PepsiCo, career progression is a reality. This Director role positions you for advancement into VP-level innovation leadership or global R&D positions. We invest in your growth through tailored leadership development programs, mentorship from senior executives, and opportunities to lead international projects. PepsiCo's robust talent mobility program has propelled many professionals from regional roles to headquarters in New York or Purchase, fostering a dynamic career trajectory in food innovation.

Why Join Us

Join PepsiCo in Cornella de Ll. to lead culinary innovation at a global powerhouse. Be part of a team that's redefining convenience foods with sustainable, delicious solutions. Enjoy Barcelona's vibrant culture, Mediterranean lifestyle, and proximity to world-class culinary scenes while contributing to products enjoyed by millions. PepsiCo's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion creates an inclusive environment where your ideas drive impact. With a focus on sustainability—aiming for net-zero emissions by 2040—you'll innovate responsibly.

Role FAQs

What is the work environment like?

Dynamic and collaborative, blending lab work, kitchen prototyping, and office-based strategy in a modern facility. Expect agile methodologies and cross-functional teams.

Is relocation support available?

Yes, PepsiCo provides relocation assistance for eligible international candidates, including visa support for Spain.

What are the next steps after applying?

Applications are reviewed within 1-2 weeks. Shortlisted candidates proceed to interviews with HR, culinary leads, and technical panels.

Does this role involve travel?

Occasional travel to co-manufacturer sites in Spain and Europe, typically 10-20% of time.

How does PepsiCo support innovation?

Through dedicated R&D budgets, partnerships with top culinary institutes, and access to global trend data for forward-thinking product development.