PepsiCo Hosts Frito-Lay Job Fair to Support Laid-Off Employees After Hudson Valley Plant Closure
PepsiCo has launched a targeted job fair at its Frito-Lay facility in the Town of Wallkill, New York, aiming to support employees impacted by the planned closure of its Middletown manufacturing plant. The Middletown facility, which PepsiCo announced it will shutter later this year, currently employs over 200 workers.
The job fair, held onsite at the Wallkill plant, brought together multiple regional employers from sectors including food production, logistics, and warehousing—industries that align closely with the skillsets of Frito-Lay’s unionized workforce. PepsiCo representatives emphasized the company’s commitment to helping displaced employees transition into new roles either within the company or with local employers.
“Our goal is to provide resources, connections, and opportunities for every impacted team member,” a PepsiCo spokesperson told attendees. The job fair included resume workshops, interview coaching, and direct engagement with hiring managers from more than a dozen companies.
PepsiCo confirmed that several positions remain open at the Town of Wallkill Frito-Lay facility and encouraged eligible employees from the Middletown plant to apply. In addition, the company has partnered with the local Workforce Development Board and the New York State Department of Labor to provide career counseling and job placement support.
The closure of the Middletown site reflects broader challenges in optimizing legacy production assets and aligning supply chain efficiencies within PepsiCo’s North American framework. As PepsiCo continues to streamline its operational footprint, plants struggling with aging infrastructure or inefficiencies are being consolidated.
For the FMCG sector, this move signals continued pressure on large-scale manufacturers to enhance cost efficiency and adaptability amid shifts in demand and supply chain volatility. Workforce repositioning efforts, such as job fairs and local partnerships, are likely to become standard practice as companies aim to retain talent and preserve employer reputation during restructuring.
PepsiCo has not issued a final closure date for the Middletown plant, but transition efforts are expected to continue through the remainder of the year.