Job Description

Overview:

• Leading PepsiCo India's 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 PepsiCo's 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

• Master's 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

Skills Required