PepsiCo’s Chief People Officer Reveals Key Traits for Hiring Top Talent: Hustle, Agility, and Curiosity in the AI Era

(SeaPRwire) –   As the AI era progresses, companies are adjusting what they look for in candidates; some prioritize prompt engineering and vibe coding, while others place greater emphasis on empathy and human intuition. According to Becky Schmitt, PepsiCo’s chief people officer, the historic brand continues to value traditional capabilities even as it navigates its ongoing technological evolution.

“A few key elements make up our secret sauce, and though many organizations might claim the same, our employees truly possess hustle,” Schmitt shared during a recent appearance at a Workplace Innovation Summit. “It comes down to how you approach problem-solving, whether you have the inner resilience to push through challenges, how curious you are, and if you are constantly questioning things.”

PepsiCo has a reputation for developing future 500 executives, having produced leaders such as Target’s Brian Cornell, McDonald’s Chris Kempczinski, and Delta Air Lines’ Ed Bastian. The company’s CPO aims to maintain a vibrant approach to recruiting and developing top-tier talent, regardless of whether these individuals remain at PepsiCo or eventually transition to other major corporations. Schmitt notes that the company seeks mutually beneficial relationships where both the employer and employee contribute to each other’s growth.

“Ultimately, it is about a person’s education—both their background and the training we offer—and the opportunities we can expose them to,” the executive explained. “We are also adapting our assessment methods to identify these hidden talents across all levels of the company… This is exactly the type of meaningful work that HR professionals strive to do.”

With artificial intelligence taking over routine technical duties, essential human capabilities have become highly sought after by employers. As digital tools generate code, summarize meetings, and analyze documents within minutes, human qualities have more space to flourish. A 2025 LinkedIn report highlighted that seven of the top ten fastest-growing skills were soft skills, such as adaptability, public speaking, and conflict resolution. Similarly, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon noted that strong communication, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence (EQ) will open doors to numerous opportunities. Anthropic’s Daniela Amodei also emphasized that uniquely human traits—specifically interpersonal skills, curiosity, and empathy—will become more vital in an AI-centric world.

Even so, prioritizing human potential does not mean the food and beverage giant overlooks technological literacy. For the Pepsi-Cola brand, which was founded in 1893 and formed a corporate partnership with Frito-Lay in 1965, innovation remains central to its achievements. This involves adopting cutting-edge technology even while operating manufacturing facilities that are half a century old.

“Since we constantly interact with AI on our personal devices throughout the day, it makes little sense to rely on paper-based processes at work,” the PepsiCo executive remarked. “It is clearly time for a shift.”

Amid this ongoing AI transition, Schmitt points out an increased need for transparent communication with employees. The CPO emphasizes that the organization’s primary objectives are to enhance workplace safety, boost productivity, and increase job satisfaction, all while keeping staff well-informed. The focus is on a “human-centric design” that leverages technology to deliver value while maintaining accountability. In the end, Schmitt is confident that employees, empowered by AI-enhanced efficiency, will remain the true catalysts for innovation. Adopting these tools is simply one of the ways PepsiCo maintains its competitive edge.

“We are convinced that people will generate new possibilities, and we are committed to reimagining our processes, which will stem from our workforce rather than the technology alone—specifically, from people utilizing technology effectively,” Schmitt added. “Even when introducing straightforward tools, success depends entirely on widespread adoption.”