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
Requirements
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
Benefits
Competitive hourly rate commensurate with experience
Position is eligible for benefits
