Lorraine Williamson
PepsiCo has formally launched a Spain-wide redundancy process (ERE) that will affect its entire direct sales network, including key centres in Coslada and Leganés in the Community of Madrid. The move marks a major restructuring for the multinational food and drinks company and places hundreds of sales jobs at risk.
The ERE, which has now entered its legal consultation phase, forms part of a strategic shift away from a traditional direct sales model towards distribution via external partners. PepsiCo says the change is designed to adapt its commercial structure to evolving market conditions and consumer habits.
Sales delegations across Spain affected
According to information confirmed to workers’ representatives, the ERE covers all 11 sales delegations in Spain, including sites in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, the Basque Country, the Balearic Islands and Andalucía. While the company has not yet released a final figure, unions estimate that between 300 and 400 employees nationwide could be affected.
PepsiCo insists the transition will be carried out “progressively and responsibly” and says it is open to dialogue with trade unions to reduce the social impact of the restructuring.
Unions reject the plan as “unjustified”
Trade unions UGT FICA, and Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) have strongly opposed the ERE, describing it as unnecessary and disproportionate. They argue that the company remains profitable and that alternative measures should be explored before cutting jobs.
Union representatives have said they will seek to minimise compulsory redundancies by pushing for redeployment, voluntary exits and improved severance terms during negotiations. Formal talks between management and unions are expected to begin in early February.
This is not the first time PepsiCo has adjusted its Spanish workforce. The company already implemented restructuring measures in 2025, also linked to changes in its sales and distribution strategy.
A contrast with Spain’s broader labour market
The announcement comes at a time when Spain’s wider labour market is performing strongly. The country closed 2025 with record employment levels, while the unemployment rate fell below 10% for the first time since the financial crisis, driven by job growth in tourism, services, renewable energy and construction.
Against that backdrop, the PepsiCo ERE stands out as a reminder that multinational restructuring decisions do not always reflect national employment trends, particularly in sectors undergoing rapid commercial and logistical change.
Amazon and AI: global restructuring, limited Spain impact so far
Recent global redundancy announcements by other large multinationals have added to concerns about job security in corporate and sales roles. Amazon, for example, has confirmed further global corporate job cuts linked to efficiency drives and increased use of automation and artificial intelligence.
However, there is no confirmation that Amazon’s latest round of layoffs will affect Spain. The most recent Spain-specific Amazon job losses date back to 2025, when the company carried out an ERE affecting around 1,200 corporate roles in Madrid and Barcelona. No new Spain-focused cuts have been announced as part of the current global restructuring.
Unions and PepsiCo
The coming weeks will be critical as negotiations between PepsiCo and unions get underway. Key issues will include the final number of affected workers, the terms of severance, and whether alternatives to compulsory redundancies can be agreed.
For now, the case highlights the tension between Spain’s improving employment figures and the reality facing workers in specific sectors as global companies reshape their operations.
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