Job Description

PepsiCo South Africa is inviting applications for multiple R&D WIL Learnerships 2026.

These Workplace Integrated Learning opportunities are designed for candidates who want to gain practical experience in research and development within the food, beverage, snacks, packaging and nutrition environment.

Learners will support the South African R&D team with product development projects, laboratory work, pilot plant trials, production trials, technical documentation, product quality testing and research-related tasks.

This opportunity is suitable for candidates studying or qualified in fields such as Food Technology, Biochemistry, Engineering, Packaging, Nutrition Science or related scientific disciplines.

Available PepsiCo R&D WIL Learnerships

Isando, Gauteng

• R&D WIL Learnership (Snacks)
• R&D WIL Learnership (Foods)
• R&D WIL Learnership (Packaging)
• R&D WIL Learnership (Productivity)
• R&D WIL Learnership (Seasoning)

Cape Town, Western Cape

• R&D WIL Learnership (Packaging)
• R&D WIL Learnership (Bakeries)
• R&D WIL Learnership (Beverages)
• R&D WIL Learnership (Nutrition Science)

Ceres, Western Cape

• R&D WIL Learnership (Beverages)

Position Details

• Position: R&D WIL Learnership
• Company: PepsiCo South Africa
• Department: Research and Development
• Programme Type: Workplace Integrated Learning
• Locations: Isando, Cape Town and Ceres
• Industry: FMCG / Food and Beverage / Manufacturing
• Salary: Not specified
• Closing Date: Not clearly shown across all listings

Responsibilities

Depending on the learnership stream, learners may be responsible for:

• Supporting the R&D team with product development projects.
• Assisting with laboratory testing.
• Supporting pilot plant trials.
• Assisting with factory and production trials.
• Helping with trial protocols and issuing information to relevant stakeholders.
• Supporting R&D Technologists and R&D Managers with project execution.
• Assisting with formulation development.
• Supporting packaging validation and product testing.
• Assisting with seasoning application testing where relevant.
• Capturing and maintaining technical information.
• Drafting R&D technical data and related documentation.
• Supporting artwork specifications and product documentation where required.
• Reporting trial results using required project methods.
• Following food safety, quality and workplace procedures.
• Working with cross-functional teams on assigned research and development tasks.

Requirements

• Relevant tertiary studies or qualification in a related field.
• Fields may include Food Technology, Biochemistry, Engineering, Packaging, Nutrition Science or related scientific disciplines.
• Strong interest in research and development.
• Interest in food, beverage, snacks, packaging, nutrition or manufacturing.
• Good organisational skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with technical information.
• Ability to follow instructions and workplace procedures.
• Willingness to learn and gain practical workplace experience.

Skills

• Research and development support
• Laboratory testing
• Product development
• Food technology
• Packaging support
• Nutrition science interest
• Technical documentation
• Trial support
• Data capturing
• Communication skills
• Teamwork
• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving
• Organisation skills
• Food safety awareness
• Quality awareness
• Willingness to learn