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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