Ag Soil, Water and New Ag Tech Best Practices Manager

Overview

Join our PepsiCo Foods North America (PFNA) Potato Team as the Ag Soil, Water & New Ag Tech Best Practices Manager. In this role you be our Soil Health and Water Use Efficiency technical specialist - driving improvements across several dimensions of pep+ for the PFNA Potato Team. You'll also lead evaluation and commercialization of new technologies to drive on-farm productivity and sustainability.

Responsibilities

Key accountabilities of the role include:

Soil Health:

• Be the technical soil health specialist on PFNA's Potato Team - keeping current on best-in-class practices and approaches to improve soil health across a wide range of geographies.
• Lead the establishment of PFNA Potatoes' soil health baseline.
• Develop strategies to make measurable improvements YOY and before target deadlines.
• Generate internal and external reports, communicating key findings and refining roadmaps for Soil Health project delivery.

• Be the technical lead supporting PepsiCo's commitment to improve WUE 15% by 2025 in water risk growing regions.
• Utilize data driven insights to develop strategies and execute plans across PFNA's Potatoes' growing locations.
• Accelerate the adoption and commercialization of highly efficient systems through the demonstration of on-farm applicability.

• Lead the evaluation of scalable technologies (or products) that can drive productivity, sustainability and/or profitability on commercial potato farms in PFNA.
• Coordinate collaboratively with internal teams and growers on approach and findings.

• Support of broader Positive Agriculture dimensions may be in-scope for this role given sustainable crop production knowledge and expertise.
  • Building soil health and fertility
  • Sequestering carbon and reducing emissions
  • Enriching watershed health
  • Protecting and enhancing biodiversity
  • Improving farmer livelihoods

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $72,500 - $121,300 based on a full-time schedule.
• Location, confirmed job-related skills and experience will be considered in setting actual starting salary.
• 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.

• Masters or PhD in Soil Science, Sustainable Agriculture, Agronomy, Horticulture, Ag Science, Food/Crop Systems or related fields of study.
• Minimum 3-5 years of practical field agronomic experience in soil science, multi-crop systems, field extension, sustainable agriculture practices.
• Ability to communicate effectively with farmers regarding sustainability and whole-farm agricultural practices and management.
• In-depth knowledge of soil health, preferably in potato production systems.
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Suite products - preference, additional experience with data visualization products, Minitab, and other spreadsheet analytic tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with internal and external cross-functional partners.

• Effective technical communication skills at grower, commercial and industry levels.
• Proficient analytical, interpretation and presentation skills with commercial, research and survey data.
• Ability to identify trends and correlations quickly and accurately in internal and external data sources.
• A strong background in agricultural research, testing, and lab procedures are required for success.
• Applicable experience developing/testing new digital tools driving improved on-farm or productivity targets.
• Facilitation and Project Management experience.
• Self-starter with strong drive for results and cross functional team leadership skills in a flexible work environment.
• Ability to keep current on emerging research, trends and topics within Regenerative Agriculture and chipping potato production.