Diversity & Inclusion
At PepsiCo, we know that our company can only succeed when our associates and the society we serve flourishes. That's why we are committed to fostering a diverse workforce by creating a collaborative, equitable and inclusive space for everyone. Because when we have a space to authentically be ourselves, explore each other’s ideas with compassionate curiosity, can we move from uniformity to diversity. From diversity to equity and inclusion.
People are at the heart of our business and our ‘Winning with Purpose’ strategy. As a proud employer of local talent in the Kingdom, PepsiCo continues to invest in the professional development and capabilities of tomorrow’s leaders, as youth fuels major growth in the Saudi workforce. We employ over 8,000 people through plants and partners, and we’re a big supporter of Saudization – more than 44% of our associates under PepsiCo’s Foods operations are Saudi Nationals. We employ 50 associates with special needs, 33 of whom are Saudi nationals. Across our Saudi food operations, we have provided sign language training to our 70 hearing-impaired employees and their team members to foster more inclusive communication. In 2021, PepsiCo was awarded a gold category “Mowaamah” certificate by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in recognition of its dedication to creating a suitable work environment for people with special needs.
As part of the ‘Stronger’ pillar of ‘Winning with Purpose’, we believe fostering and upskilling talent in the Kingdom is our responsibility and we implement this through a number of initiatives. For example, we are nurturing talent across our frontline staff, through a robust personal development program. This program spans internal coaching, lean six sigma training, and digital and hands-on programs focused on everything from merchandising to selling and safety, to develop our talent pool with an emphasis on future readiness.
As PepsiCo we are strong advocates for gender equality, diversity and inclusion. We are passionate supporters of creating opportunities for women to experience thriving careers and to grow both professionally and personally, internally, and externally.
Internally, we have constructed inclusive workplaces that respect local customs, enabling women to work and advance. We are proud to say that over 10% of our local workforce under PepsiCo’s foods operations are women, who are hired across all functions as managers, engineers and on the frontlines. Additionally, women represent one in five of PepsiCo’s Saudi employees. We were also one of the first companies to introduce the opportunity for a second shift for female employees, which contributed to an increase in the number of female employees in the workforce.
In alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and the lift of the driving ban in 2018, we embarked on a thrilling, historical journey with our female employees in Riyadh. 172 women participated in a driving simulation, learning how to control a vehicle in a safe environment. Since then, many women drivers were hired to drive sales vehicles and forklifts, opening an entirely new range of job possibilities that were previously gender restricted. This further aligning with our commitment to being an equal opportunities employer on a global scale.
Hear from our employees:
Tamakani – Flagship initiative
Driving our gender equality external efforts further is the belief that women are the architect of society. Therefore in 2019, to shape an equal, inclusive, diverse, sustainable and a thriving society, in alignment with the local Saudi Vision 2030 and
the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we have launched Tamakani.
Tamakani is a platform dedicated to support, guide, and inspire generations of women in the Kingdom where we aim to empower one million women by 2030. We intend to achieve this through Tamakani’s 3 main pillars: Amplifying Voices, Facilitating Mentorship and Fostering Entrepreneurship, which are brought to life through strategic partnerships.
Amplifying Voices
Mozn Podcast
In partnership with Family Affair Council, a national institution, PepsiCo is sponsoring Mozn Podcast. Mozn, which means rainclouds in Arabic, discusses and brings attention to stories from local/Saudi women, structured around 6 pillars: women and Vision 2030, stability and prosperity, equality and inclusivity, health and sustainability, values and identity and social responsibility. The podcast champions the voices and inspirational stories of female Saudi women who are leaders in their field. With this podcast, people are hearing from them, learning from them, and are motivated to go after their dreams no matter the obstacles and restrictions in their way.
Tune in:
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3vXhMue
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3KqvF8h
YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=HAc3739CnmQ
Diwaniya Quarterly Event
In partnership with AmCham, Women in Business Committee, PepsiCo is sponsoring the Diwaniya quarterly event which was first launched in February 2022. In Saudi culture, the diwaniya is a place where, historically, men gather in an informal setting and discuss significant social and political issues. Through the Diwaniya event we aim to change the narrative, redefine and expand the role of Saudi women and their opportunities, ensuring inclusivity and diversity in meaningful dialogue. Led by executive females in the region, we aim for both men and women to participate and exchange knowledge, perspectives and opportunities.
Facilitating Mentorship
Mentorship Program
In partnership with the Women Leadership Center, PepsiCo is sponsoring a mentorship program targeting young female leaders. While in the early stages of their careers, these mentees are passionate to pursue their leadership aspirations and want to be mentored by some of the top leaders in the field. Through this program, we will empower 68 beneficiaries and equip them with the tools they need to become the leaders of the future.
WIB Mentorship Program
Also, in partnership with AmCham, Women in Business Committee, we are sponsoring WIB Mentorship Program. A structured, relationship-building program that connects 20 mentors and 40 mentees 1-to-1 to increase knowledge and share experiences that aims to build skills to achieve their future goals and milestones.
Al Nahda: Fursa & Himmah
Our partnership with Al Nahda Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Saudi women for the past 58 years, will deliver two new programs to empower young Saudi women. The first program, ‘Forsa’, supports female Saudi graduates in establishing their professional careers and reaching leadership positions. The second program, ‘Himma’, encourages women’s participation at a community level by enhancing their skills and knowledge across areas including health, technology, and law.
Fostering Entrepreneurship
WiN Fellowship Program
In partnership with the Atlantic Council, PepsiCo is sponsoring WiN Fellowship Program; launched in April 2022. It is a year program that aims to support Saudi women entrepreneurs to build leadership and executive capacity to scale their start-ups to new heights. We have managed to select 33 passionate Saudi women entrepreneurs to benefit from this unique collaboration between the Atlantic Council and Georgetown University. The Fellowship Program delivers mentoring and networking opportunities with leading US and MENA experts and business executives, a tailored executive education program by Georgetown University, and workshops with leading experts. Finally, the program will include a fully sponsored trip to the United States for the top participants, to receive leadership training at Georgetown and meetings with US business and government leaders.
InJAZ Al-Arab
As part of Tamakani, PepsiCo Foundation committed 750,000 SAR ($202,000) to a partnership program with INJAZ Al-Arab focused on nurturing 500 Saudi women entrepreneurs and helping them transform business ideas in the F&B industry into viable business ventures. In 2022 PepsiCo and our philanthropic arm, the PepsiCo Foundation, in partnership with INJAZ Al-Arab and INJAZ Saudi Arabia organized a sustainability-focused challenge as part of Tamakani. The challenge tasked students to ideate three priority areas – positive water impact, circular future for packaging, and improving choices across the PepsiCo portfolio. The financial reward was complemented by a mentorship program with INJAZ Al-Arab to equip students with education and training as well as financial literacy to ensure workforce readiness. The program, conducted over the course of a year, offered 500 women students from four Saudi universities - the Princess Noura Bint Abdul Rahman University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Al Imam Mohamed Bin Saud University, and King Abdulaziz University - the opportunity to present business ideas aimed at creating a more sustainable planet.
PHILANTHROPY
Over decades of working with local partners and investing to make a difference through our philanthropic arm – PepsiCo Foundation – we have seen the incredible potential of communities. PepsiCo's philanthropic efforts are projected to reach up to SAR 15 million (USD 4.2 million) in donations to various initiatives on youth, female empowerment and to support SMEs in Saudi Arabia.
As we strive to become a Better company, we are helping nurture potential all around the world by leading the way toward a more sustainable food system, from investing in sustained nutrition, to promoting safe water access, effective waste management, and women’s empowerment.