Food Scientist

Prime Roots is seeking an experienced Food Scientist for a full time minimum three month term position to join our Product Development team. There is a possibility to extend and transition into permanent full-time employment based on performance and business needs. The ideal candidate will have expertise in texture development, product formulation, and commercialization with a proven track record of taking food products from concept to market. This role will focus on advancing our product portfolio through application of food science principles and process optimization. This role will require travel although is primarily based in Berkeley, CA full time.

Responsibilities:

- Execute product development initiatives focused on texture improvement and sensory attributes including taste and flavor
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize formulations for commercial production
- Conduct internal and external taste and sensory panels and do data analysis
- Develop and document product specifications and manufacturing procedures
- Conduct bench-top trials and scale-up experiments
- Evaluate and recommend food processing equipment for production needs
- Troubleshoot manufacturing challenges and implement solutions
- Create detailed documentation for regulatory compliance
- Analyze competitive products and identify improvement opportunities
- Present findings and recommendations to stakeholders

Qualifications:

- Masters degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related field
- Minimum 4 years of experience in food product development, particularly in meat alternatives or plant-based proteins
- Experience working with novel materials, notably mycelium is preferred
- Demonstrated experience with texture development technologies
- Knowledge of food chemistry and ingredient functionality
- Experience with product scale-up and commercialization
- Experience with clean label formulation (we are an all-natural brand)
- Understanding of food processing equipment and manufacturing processes
- Experience taking projects from concept through commercialization
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Physical Requirements:

- Ability to stand for extended periods in laboratory and production environments
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
- Ability to operate a vehicle and all required laboratory and pilot plant equipment

Compensation:

- Competitive hourly rate commensurate with experience
- Position is eligible for benefits

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