Full Time/Exempt

$150,000-$250,000

About this role:

The Head of Product Development is responsible for planning and executing a portfolio of innovative, science-backed plant-based food products.

This position reports to the CEO and works daily with Research, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain and Data Sciences departments.

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and technical expertise to drive technology-based new product development.
• Responsible for setting the product development strategy and leading the technical team's activities required for creating and launching new products
• Play an active role in the launch and commercialization of new products
• Collaborate with other functions (e.g., Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing, Finance) to build cost models to support successful new product launch
• Manage all product development activities from product concept, formulation, scale-up to commercialization.
• Ensure that the highest standards are achieved and maintained in all product development activities, focusing on understanding the consumer drivers via robust sensory protocols, process/product interactions, process control strategies, and quality control strategies
• Hire and train a team of PD personnel
• Successfully manage and mentor direct reports and work with cross-functional teams and initiatives

Skills and experience:

• An MS or PhD in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related fields
• A deep understanding of protein chemistry (fats and oil chemistry a plus), hydrocolloids, food engineering, and ingredient functionality & interactions in a food product
• Experience with New Product Development (NPD) stage-gate process
• Experience in Dairy Foods/Cheesemaking manufacturing or Fermented food is a plus
• Food safety knowledge and shelf-life testing knowledge
• At least five years of team leadership experience in product development
• Project Management Experience
• Excellent people management and leadership capability
• Proven leadership success in formulating, commercialization and launching food products
• Training in sensory science is a plus
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the Google Workspace tools suite
• Strong communication skills
• Conflict resolving skills
• Demonstrated analytic, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Source of proposal; taking ownership and initiative
• Strong attention to detail and recordkeeping
• Must have the authorization to work in the US
• Must be able to lift 30 lbs.
• Proficient in written and spoken English

If you don't check all of the boxes, but still think you're the right fit for the role, let us know why. We understand that experience is acquired in many ways that may not come through on a CV. Tell us about yourself in your cover letter. We read them all.

About the job

Climax Foods is on a mission to revolutionize the way we eat.

We're bringing together the brightest minds in data science and food science to replace animals with more efficient ways of transforming plants into the foods we love. Using sophisticated data science and machine learning methods, we are unlocking the entire plant kingdom, reaching the pinnacle of taste, texture, and nutrition.

Our team marries years of experience in inventing and productionizing cutting-edge machine learning and data science tools at companies like Google and SpaceX with operational excellence leading plant-based food companies from the early R&D stage to billion dollar valuations like Impossible Foods and JUST.

Climax Foods is backed by mission-aligned investors who bring strategic value allowing us to scale quickly to meet the urgent need for a more sustainable and safe food system, without sacrificing the culturally rich experience of delicious food.

Working at Climax Foods:

We believe in the power of data. Not only in how we are reinventing food, but also in how we work together, hire, and recruit. We put people first. The data is clear that a culture of belonging through inclusive and equitable policies, practices, and structures leads to the most innovative teams. We welcome applications from individuals from every unique background. We also believe that compensating fairly is critical to making our company sustainable, equitable, and inclusive. In addition to salary and benefits, you will also own equity in the company you are growing.

We offer:

• Competitive salary
• 401(k) plan and company match!
• Premium medical and dental insurance
• Generous vacation and paid time-off policy
• Parent-friendly environment
• Lab and office facilities have been optimized for those with disabilities
• Free gym membership
• HQ in a bustling neighborhood and collaborative environment in Berkeley, CA
• Other great benefits — all driven by our continuously evolving research on creating maximally inclusive, equitable, innovative, and thriving teams