Director of RD - Food Science
Director of RD - Food Science
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Job Description
ABOUT US
At New School Foods our mission is to accelerate the transition to a sustainable food system. Using our proprietary and purposebuilt production technologies we are creating the next generation of meat and seafood alternatives which are designed to appeal to the average consumer. Our first product is a delicious plantbased filet that looks cooks tastes and flakes like Salmon thats full of Omega 3 and protein. All with a lower carbon footprint zero mercury and made without harming the ocean.
THE ROLE
We are looking for a talented Director of R&D to lead our fastgrowing Food Science team. This organized motivated creative and resultsoriented individual will have had experience managing a team of scientists in creating food products. Were looking for a candidate with a track record of keeping teams organized prioritized & inspired.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead a team developing cuttingedge plantbased meat/ fish products through research product development and process innovation.
- Responsible for improving the organoleptic properties nutrition profile macrostructure and cooking experience of our products
- Thought leadership on research direction by successfully identifying critical knowledge gaps and valuable whitespace opportunities
- Optimally leverage available resources towards the fulfillment of the business mission including team (expertise and manpower resource) external knowledge (academic literature IP experts) budget (instrument materials procurement).
- Drive new product development from ideation to benchtop prototypes to pilot production to commercialization.
- Ensure compliance with food safety standards
- Lead the design and of experiments development of SOPs & protocols for new procedures ensure the synthesis of data and review results
- Lead collaborative interactions with a broad group of external partners including academic researchers analytical service providers consultants ingredient suppliers equipment manufacturers IP lawyers and regulatory professionals.
- Continuously search for and vet advanced technologies that complement areas of strategic focus and gather insight into new ingredient technologies
- Lead the drafting of patents scientific papers presentations
- Provide mentorship training and experimental guidance
- Lead knowledge management and effective communication of scientific progress
- Manage a lab with a broad array of sample preparation and analytical equipment (texture analyzer colorimeter etc) ensuring proper maintenance and operation.
- Ensure a clean organized and safe work area and ensure compliance with all safety policies and practices.
SKILLS & TRAITS
- Embraces the mission and purpose of New School Foods
- Demonstrated ability to build and lead a high performance team
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement a successful research strategy within a commercial environment
- Excitement for working in a fastpaced environment with high energy creativity personal dedication accountability and ownership
- Understands and thrives in an unstructured startup environment and is able to develop structure and process where required while maintaining flexibility and agility
- Excellent time management and communication skills (verbal and written) with ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
- Adaptable to evolving scientific and business priorities
- Business acumen
EXPERIENCE
- PhD in a scientific discipline (materials science physics or biophysics chemistry physical chemistry biological or chemical engineering or a related field) with 10 years of product development experience in a food and/or food ingredient company OR M.S. with 12 years of experience OR OR B.S. with 15 years of experience
- 5 years of experience managing a team of scientists
- Proven track record of R&D thought leadership
- Deep Experience in food product design including formulation ingredient functionality and interaction sensory analysis process design product scaleup plant testing and commercialization
- Proven ability to leverage scientific insight towards the development of food processes and/or products
- Deep knowledge of food ingredients such as proteins fats hydrocolloids flavorants colorants and nutrients including economics sourcing structurefunction understanding analytical testing and formulation knowhow
- Deep knowledge of scientific principles key to the development of plant based meat and fish products including texture development emulsion technology flavoringredient interactions color chemistry nutrition microbiological safety and food preservation.
- Demonstrated knowledge of lab techniques and instrumentation
- Knowledge of industry standard processing techniques and the ability to research design and implement disruptive technologies new to the industry
- Experienced in the protection of intellectual property through IP strategy development and the drafting of patents
- Excellent knowledge of food industry standards of quality food safety and USDA/FDA regulations
- Nice to haves but not required: Prior experimental research experience in a wet lab // Experience in meat product or alternative/plant based meat product formulation and commercialization // Diverse experience with plantbased protein alternatives preferred but not required
Important Note: Dont meet every single requirement Studies have shown that women and racialized people of every gender are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At New School Foods we are dedicated to building a diverse inclusive and authentic workplace so if youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt align perfectly with every qualification in the job description we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the person were looking for!
Required Experience:
Director
Employment Type
Full-Time
