Background

Mohamed Badaoui Najjar is the R&D senior director for strategy & portfolio management at PepsiCo. He partners with international food and beverages teams to set up R&D strategy and build the future of R&D across people, programs, and assets. He has 14 years of global industry experience in leading and shaping new platforms and strategies from ideation to launch.

Mohamed started his career as a product developer working on Mirinda, Mountain Dew, AMP, and Pepsi beverages, then moved to science and technology applications for sugar reduction. He worked in Europe for four years as PepsiCo’s East Europe region head before returning to the U.S. to assume his current role.

Mohamed is passionate about building high-performing teams and mentoring rising talent, as well as innovation, trends, and understanding generational consumer behaviors. He is passionate about exercise and fitness, the outdoors, and making and experiencing new food and beverage innovation. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Lisa, and son, Leo.

IFT Highlights

Mohamed believes in the critical role IFT plays in the future of talent and the science of food profession. He has been a dedicated volunteer for 18 years across his student, new professional, and executive career, experiencing a broad cross-section of the organization. HE has served on the IFTSA Board of Directors, as president of NYIFT, in the Product Development Division and the International Division, on the Awards jury, as a scientific program reviewer, on AMSPAP, and as a speaker and moderator.

Education

BS in clinical laboratory science/medical technology/technologist from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon

MS in food science/food microbiology from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon

PhD in food science from Rutgers University

Executive strategy certification from Cornell University