R&D Lead

R&D lead

Location: Oxfordshire

Key Skills: Significant experience in development of Plant-based food ingredients. Prior commercial experience in a R&D leadership role.

Role overview: This is an exciting opportunity to build and lead the R&D capabilities in a newly established and fully funded food-tech start-up, working on developing a versatile range of sustainable functional food ingredients from a grain called amaranth.

Job Overview:

• Develop a detailed R&D strategy to create an innovative protein/starch extraction process and develop a range of functional food ingredients


• Validate the R&D lab layout and design the workflow (incl. equipment)


• Hire the R&D team (amend existing job descriptions, leverage own and external networks to scout for candidates, interview, onboard successful applicants)


• Manage the process and ingredient development


• Work with external partners and laboratories to conduct experiments and analytical tests


• Develop a pipeline of research projects to be done with academic institutions in the UK


• Overall: lead, strategize, plan, organize, communicate internally and externally.


• Accountable for daily decision making in the lab

Capability requirements:

• PhD in a related field


• 10+ years of experience in developing & commercializing food ingredients


• Experience in grain processing or plant-based protein extraction is preferred


• Experience in launching an R&D facility and assembling a team is preferred


• Deep knowledge of food and food industry (ingredients and Consumer Packaged Goods)


• Creative proactive entrepreneurial approach to work


• Strong business acumen, leadership, planning, strategy, communication

Package:

Our client offers a permanent position with a starting salary of �70,000-�80,000 (depending on experience). This is an opportunity to join the company at start-up phase with significant career development as the company growth.