Food Technologist - Product Development at Beyond Meat

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

At Beyond Meat, we started with simple questions. Why do you need an animal to create meat? Why can’t you build meat directly from plants? Thus, we make plant-based meats that allow families to eat more, not less, of the traditional dishes they love while feeling great about the health, sustainability, and animal welfare benefits of plant protein. Our goal is to bring exciting change to the plate—and Beyond.

Beyond Meat is focused on raising the bar on talent and dedicated to shaping an inclusive culture that drives excellence, innovation, and results, engagement, and employee experience.  The R&D Innovation Team is a matrix organization within Beyond Meat that is dedicated to creating plant-based protein products that are leading the gold standard globally.  We are looking for an outstanding individual to join the Formulation/Product Development Team located in El Segundo, CA as a Food Technologist. 

The Food Technologist on the Product Development Team plays a crucial role at Beyond Meat. They need to have a strong scientific background, excellent problem-solving skills, high attention to detail, a team-oriented mentality, be self-motivated, results-oriented, and resourceful. They will have a keen understanding of product innovation and hands-on experience with the ability to think beyond standard methods, independently lead and reach conclusions, and clearly deliver results within a matrix organization. The Food Technologist is responsible for the high quality, safe, and efficient development, modification, and manufacture of plant-based protein products, samples, processes, and production trials.  They will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact in our core scientific understanding, initiate creative product development, and grow professionally using the skills described herein. The Food Technologist candidate must have the ability to use error as a skill to learn and develop a product.TASKS, DUTIES, & GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIESSupport the R&D team in attaining short- and long-term product development goals, adapting to evolving scientific prioritiesConduct scientific tasks under supervision including but not limited to batching, developing benchtop formulations using ingredient functionality research, creating and maintaining formula sheet, modifying and improving existing formulations, and developing/making prototypes dailyIdentify opportunities for innovation, cost reduction, and quality enhancementAssist with smooth transition from benchtop to pilot scale to commercialization of formulations Assist scientists with developing defined test objectives for sensory and shelf-life experiments and assist with execution of the sensory test if neededAssist team with collection, use, and analysis of quantitative data to guide product development Accurately maintain a laboratory notebook and provide written and verbal reports of formulation activitiesEnsure that strict hygiene and food safety standards are met dailyProvide prototype samples for shipment to various customersCross-functional collaboration with commercialization, outside vendors, and internal teams to align and ensure successful product launches and effective communication throughout the organizationProvide general laboratory support, source and purchase ingredient supplies, and share in laboratory cleaningAssist in maintaining equipment logs and service recordsParticipation in sensory studies may be requiredAssist in validating, calibrating, and collecting data from analytical instrumentsUpload data to appropriate databases and/or spreadsheetsSupervisory DutiesMay supervise Associate Food Technologists and/or Batching AssistantsQUALIFICATIONS: Education, Technical Skills, and/or Previous ExperienceBachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Chemistry, or a similar scientific field with 0-2+ years of experiencePossess new product development or improvement of an existing product experience in the plant-based space from bench to scale, preferredStrong verbal and written communication skillsAbility to independently manage multiple projects at the same time and work in a fast-paced, dynamic environmentCommand of Word, Excel and PowerPointKnowledge of lab techniques and familiarity with lab environmentThe ability to work closely with a manager by communicating ongoing progress updates The ability to work in a team environment and be self-directed at timesWORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSPosition requires the ability to stand or sit for prolonged periods, climb, kneel, bend, and consistently lift up to 25 lbs.Position located in a mix of typical laboratory, pilot plant, and office environments$65,000 - $75,000 a yearThe starting annual base pay for this El Segundo, CA based role is between USD $65,000 and $75,000. The actual base is dependent upon many factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, and market demands.  The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. The role may also be eligible for bonus, equity, and benefits.Beyond Meat is an equal employment opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, gender identify, sexual orientation, national origin, liability for military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you are interested in learning the status of your application, please note you will be contacted directly by the appropriate human resources contact person if you are selected for further consideration. Beyond Meat reserves the right to defer or close a vacancy at any time.Apply for this job