Director of Product Development

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.
OVERVIEW
The Director of Product Development will lead an integral part of our innovation team with focus on leading and fostering scientists and product developers and working with new and innovative plant based products.  Our ideal candidate will have the technical expertise to manage a high-functioning group of scientists, with the food industry experience to mentor and create bench-top products and support commercialization.  

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct and oversee all aspects of the product development team including: planning, and working with critical disciplines such as ingredient technologies, food product development, process development, R & D strategy, and intellectual property
• Conceptualize and create new plant-based products with senior leadership and deliver prototypes through the mentorship of the product development team
• Provide scientific interpretation, due diligence, and technical fortitude for product formulations, labeling and advertising claims
• Actively support the innovation stage gate process: brainstorming and ideation sessions, concept development, concept screening, feasibility, and commercialization
• Monitor and analyze new scientific information, including, but not limited to: nutritional and dietary ingredient studies, sensory insights, quality and shelf stability, and scale up to pilot
• Contribute new research and product development ideas that drive consumer health through scientific and technical insights
• Leverage internal and external technology capabilities to help develop products that delight consumers; continuously search for and vet advanced technologies that complement areas of strategic focus
• Develop and oversee project plans to drive successful implementation of goals
• Work closely with senior leadership to deliver business objectives
• Preserve all forms of intellectual and material property generated from the above activities, including writing patents, writing protocols for novel processes
• Develop and grow a strong technical unit capable of executing on an aggressive growth and deliverable plan
• Collaborate with cross-functional divisions and stakeholders, support technology
• transfer through scale-up and production operations
• Accept other duties as assigned
• Maintain a safe working environment

QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters with 12+ years or PhD with 10+ years
• Must have plant-based product development experience
• At least 5 years managing teams
• 5+ years in a CPG organization or an ingredients application company desired
• Knowledge of R&D practices and processes; leadership of senior level scientists or product developers
• Demonstrated skills in critical thinking, impactful scientific research and application in an industry environment
• Ability to continually integrate new learnings with existing knowledge
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
• Experience working in a matrixed and highly collaborative team-oriented environment
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills. Fluent in English, both written and spoken
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and multi-tasking skills, as well as the ability to interact and collaborate successfully with all levels and functional areas

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Laboratory, pilot plant, and manufacturer, office and kitchen environments with some travel (5%)
• Sitting at a desk, standing, communication-using computer and phone
• Position requires the ability to stand or sit for prolonged periods

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.
Please note that Beyond Meat has adopted a COVID-19 vaccination policy to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees. All U.S. employees who (a) physically enter a Beyond Meat facility in the United States, (b) represent Beyond Meat at work-related events, including but not limited to trade shows and product demonstrations, or (c) physically enter customer or potential customer sites in connection with their work for Beyond Meat must take all necessary steps to be Fully Vaccinated as a condition of employment, unless a reasonable accommodation is approved.