Procurement AI Solutions Director

Overview

At PepsiCo, we do it all—from the crunch of Lay’s, Doritos, and Cheetos, to the fizz of Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, and Bubly.

With one of the world’s largest food and beverage portfolios, we’re constantly innovating, creating, and growing—faster, stronger, and better.

Ready to make your mark?

Dare for Better. Join PepsiCo.

Who We Are:

As part of PepsiCo’s Strategy & Transformation organization, the Data, Analytics & AI team is helping lead the way on Our Digital Evolution journey. We’re a central capability team that sits at the intersection of technology and business, using AI to unlock smarter, faster, and more scalable ways of working. Our work directly supports PepsiCo’s “Perform to Potential” vision—advancing enterprise-wide transformation through innovative digital solutions. As One S&T for PepsiCo, we’re not just imagining the future—we’re building it.

Responsibilities

The AI Solutions Procurement Director will spearhead the sourcing, evaluation, and implementation of AI-driven technologies and services to augment PepsiCo’s procurement processes. The role involves collaborating closely with vendors, internal stakeholders, and technology partners to ensure the effective integration of AI solutions that enhance procurement efficiency, accuracy, and strategic decision-making. The AI Solutions Procurement Director will play a critical role in advancing PepsiCo's AI capabilities by leading the development and execution of scalable AI solutions across all procurement operations and processes. The position emphasizes strategic leadership, operational execution, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure AI solutions align with PepsiCo's goals and can be scaled across business units, sectors, and regions.

AI Solutions Sourcing and Evaluation (35%):

• Lead the identification and analysis of potential AI technologies and services that align with PepsiCo’s procurement strategy.
• Evaluate AI vendors and partners, conducting thorough assessments of their offerings in terms of scalability, compatibility, and ROI.

Contract Negotiation and Vendor Management (25%):

• Manage the end-to-end procurement process for AI solutions, including drafting RFPs, negotiating contracts, and establishing vendor relationships.
• Ensure all agreements support PepsiCo’s strategic goals while maintaining compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

Cross-Functional Collaboration (20%):

• Collaborate with procurement, IT, legal, finance, and other relevant teams to align AI initiatives with broader organizational objectives and requirements.
• Facilitate communication between internal teams and external vendors to ensure smooth implementation and integration of AI solutions.

Performance Monitoring and Optimization (20%):

• Develop and implement metrics to monitor the performance and impact of AI solutions within the procurement function.
• Continuously optimize AI-driven procurement strategies based on performance data, feedback from stakeholders, and emerging technological trends.
• Decision-Making Autonomy Moderate – Substantial autonomy in project execution and team management, aligning with the strategic direction set by the VP.
• Supervision Required Moderate – Operates under general supervision, with periodic updates to the VP, primarily for strategic alignment and major decisions.
• Complexity of Role High – Manages multiple AI projects, oversees a cross-functional team, and coordinates with both internal and external partners.
• Cross-Functional Interactions Yes – Significant interaction with Product, Engineering, Data Science, Business Units, Vendors, Consultants, HR, Finance, etc.

Compensation and Benefits:

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $125,900 - $249,900.
• 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 25% of annual salary paid out annually.and an additional target payout of 10% of annual salary is paid out over 3 years following the end of the performance period.
• Long term incentive equity may be awarded based on eligibility and performance.
• 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

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related technology field. Master’s preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in Artificial Intelligence (AI) (e.g. Generative AI tools) and data science, and applying it to specific business products in a large organization.
• Strong capability to reimagine and reinvent end-to-end procurement processes, leveraging AI and emerging technologies to drive efficiency, transparency, and value.
• Functional procurement experience.
• Demonstrated experience strategizing and building large, scalable AI initiatives in a complex, matrixed organization.
• Proven leadership experience, including people management and end-to-end AI project ownership.
• Track record of cross-functional collaboration and influencing senior stakeholders to drive digital transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to translate business challenges into effective AI solutions and define clear KPIs to measure their impact and success.
• This position is limited to persons with indefinite permit to work in the United States.
• If in commutable distance from HQ offices in Chicago, Plano, or Purchase, a hybrid schedule will be preferred.

Skills & Competencies:

• Deep Ecosystem Knowledge: Proven experience navigating and leveraging a broad network of external technology vendors, AI platforms, and top-tier consulting firms to accelerate innovation.
• Strategic AI Leadership: Demonstrated ability to shape and execute enterprise-level AI strategies that align with business priorities and deliver measurable impact.
• Innovation Catalyst: Passion for pioneering emerging AI technologies and translating them into scalable, real-world solutions that transform procurement function.
• Enterprise Influence: Strong cross-functional leadership skills with a track record of influencing senior stakeholders and driving alignment across complex organizational structures.
• Change Champion: Expertise in leading large-scale change initiatives, including digital transformation and AI adoption, with a focus on stakeholder engagement and sustained impact.
• Executive Communication: Ability to distill complex AI concepts into clear, compelling narratives for executive audiences, enabling informed decision-making.
• Outcome-Driven Mindset: Relentless focus on delivering business value through AI—measured by efficiency gains, cost savings, risk mitigation, and enhanced decision intelligence.
• Start-Up Mindset & Innovation Drive: Proven ability to operate with a start-up mindset—comfortable with ambiguity, driven by a bias for action, and fueled by a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.

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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 race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity

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