Automation & Controls Lead

Overview

Organizational Overview: PepsiCo is home to some of the world’s most iconic brands—Pepsi, Frito‑Lay, Gatorade, Quaker—and powered by one of the most advanced supply chains on the planet. We innovate, we collaborate, and we continuously raise the bar in safety, sustainability, and operational excellence.

If you’re energized by solving complex problems and shaping the future of manufacturing, this is where you belong Position Overview – Automation & Controls Leader The Automation & Controls Leader is the plant’s go‑to expert for automation, controls, and factory‑floor network systems. This role owns the strategy, reliability, and continuous improvement of all control systems—ensuring they operate safely, efficiently, and in alignment with plant and business goals.

Beyond the home site, this leader may support a regional pod of plants, providing technical guidance, coaching technicians, and influencing automation strategy across multiple facilities. It’s a high‑impact role for a technical leader who thrives at the intersection of engineering, operations, and innovation. Responsibilities Automation & Controls Leadership Multi‑Plant (Pod) Support

Serve as the primary in‑plant authority for automation and control systems

Ensure peak performance and reliability of PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, drives, and industrial networks

Align automation strategy with plant goals for safety, quality, productivity, and cost

Own factory‑floor network design, performance, cybersecurity posture, and obsolescence planning

Manage hardware/software lifecycle, upgrades, and mitigation plans

Lead automation projects from concept through commissioning and handoff

Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, IT/OT, and Operations to ensure seamless execution

Diagnose and resolve complex automation and controls issues

Implement solutions that improve reliability, efficiency, and safety

Maintain automation standards, documentation, and change‑management processes

Provide technical leadership and troubleshooting support to sister plants within the pod

Coach and develop automation technicians across sites

Partner with Technical Services Managers to elevate automation capability and standardization

Compensation and Benefits:

The expected compensation range for this position is between $80,200 - $134,250.

Location, confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting actual starting salary. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.

Bonus based on performance and eligibility target payout is 10% 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.

Qualifications Required Preferred > Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901-4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Automation Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)

Proven experience leading automation/controls in a manufacturing environment

Strong expertise in PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, industrial networks, and control system architecture

Experience managing automation projects end‑to‑end

Ability to influence across multiple sites and functions

Knowledge of industrial cybersecurity and OT/IT integration

Leadership experience with technical teams

Strong problem‑solving skills in high‑availability environments

Valid U.S. work authorization

Experience in food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods manufacturing

PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity / Age If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy. Please view our Pay Transparency Statement