PepsiCo - Senior Manager - Sustainable Agriculture

Description:

Overview:

Leading PepsiCo Indias Positive Agriculture agenda for two key crops- chip-grade potatoes and food-grade corn.

To Ensure developing and scaling regenerative agricultural practices, strengthening farmer ecosystems, improving climate resilience, and ensuring responsible, traceable, and sustainable sourcing that supports long-term business continuity for PepsiCo Foods India.

Responsibilities:

Sustainable Agriculture & Regenerative Farming Strategy:

- Develop and execute PepsiCos Positive Agriculture Roadmap for Potato and Corn.

- Drive large-scale adoption of regenerative practices:

- Soil health improvement

- Water-use efficiency

- Reduced GHG emissions

- Crop diversification & integrated pest management

- Ensure alignment to PepsiCo Global Sustainable Agriculture and ESG commitments.

Responsible Sourcing & Supply Security:

- Support the Agro Operations and Supply Chain teams in ensuring secure, high-quality, sustainably grown potato and corn supply.

- Lead geographic expansion strategy by identifying high-potential production zones and resilient hybrids/varieties.

- Strengthen farmer partnerships, FPO/FPC engagements, and long-term sourcing frameworks.

Farmer Livelihood & Capability Building:

- Design and deliver capability-building programs for PepsiCo contract farmers including:

- Good Agricultural Practices

- Input optimization

- Post-harvest management

- Regenerative agriculture modules

- Implement field demonstration plots, model farms, and technology trials.

Sustainability Compliance, Audits & Reporting:

- Ensure FSA/SAI compliance for all potato and corn sustainable sourcing operations.

- Lead third-party audits, field verifications, and documentation as per PepsiCo global standards.

- Manage sustainability data reporting, baselining and impact measurement across all agro locations.

Innovation, Technology & Digital Agriculture:

- Identify and implement digital tools for:

- Field monitoring (remote sensing, digital agronomy)

- Crop traceability

- Soil and water metrics

- Partner with agri-tech startups, input companies, and research institutes for innovative solutions.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

Work closely with:

- Agro Operations for agronomy improvements

- R&D for potato and corn variety development

- Sustainability & ESG teams for reporting and disclosures

- Manufacturing & Quality for raw material consistency

- Procurement & External Affairs for farmer/partner engagement

- Represent PepsiCo in sustainability forums, government platforms, and industry bodies.

Program Management & Partnerships:

- Lead multi-state sustainable agriculture programs with government bodies, NGOs, CSR partners and global foundations.

- Manage budgets, grants, external funding, and partner performance.

- Prepare periodic reviews for global and India leadership teams.

Qualifications:

Qualifications & Experience:

- Masters in Agriculture, Agronomy, Agri-Business, or Environmental Science.

- 10 -12 years of experience in sustainable agriculture, agronomy, potato/corn crop management or agri-supply chains.

- Strong technical understanding of potato and corn farming systems, seed varieties, irrigation, pest/disease management and soil health.

- Experience in regenerative agriculture, farmer program management, and sustainability certifications (SAI/FSA).

- Proven ability to work with farmer communities, NGOs, government schemes and agri-tech ecosystems.

Key Skills & Competencies:

- Agronomy excellence Potato & Corn

- Sustainability & regenerative farming expertise

- Data & digital agronomy usage

- Program management & large-scale implementation

- Farmer relationship management

- Stakeholder & partner engagement

- Strong communication & influence skills

- Analytical mindset and sustainability reporting capability