Senior Food Scientist (Plant Proteins)

Our client is dedicated to meeting the increasing global demand for plant-based proteins. Their mission is to empower the food and beverage industry to sustainably provide proteins sourced from plants. With a diverse range of offerings, including Chickpea, Red Lentil, and Fava Bean proteins, they uphold the highest standards of manufacturing quality in their modern UK production facility. Their commitment to plant proteins is rooted in scientific backing from nutritional, sensory, and application perspectives. As part of a group, they’re involved in various sectors, including food, human nutrition, animal nutrition, and agriculture.

Job Overview

As a Technical Development Chemist, you will play a vital role in enhancing product offerings through innovative technical developments. Your expertise will drive the progress of their process and applications laboratory, ensuring alignment with commercial market demands. You will be responsible for leading product application development and providing technical support, all while fostering a collaborative work environment. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the growth of a respected company in the plant-based protein sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Successfully manage outputs of process and applications laboratory.
• Lead technical process development of commercial product offerings for the business.
• Develop product offerings in line with commercial market demands, supported by the commercial and managing director.
• Innovate and provide guidance on in-house new product applications development based on customer and market feedback.
• Attend industry and product-relevant training courses and seminars as requested by the company.

Skills

• Strong leadership ability in managing NPD projects with production teams.
• Creative and innovative approach to product and application technical development.
• Proven ability to demonstrate technical product benefits at a high level.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Requirements

• BSc minimum (preferred MSc) in Food Science, Chemistry, or Biochemistry.
• 5-8 years of technical development laboratory experience, preferably with proteins/peptides or plant-based nutritional ingredients.
• Proven track record of laboratory management, including personnel and QMS, in collaboration with the Quality Manager.

Why It's Great to Work Here

Joining this employer means becoming part of a dynamic and innovative team that values creativity, respect, and teamwork. You will have the opportunity to contribute to the growing field of plant-based nutrition, working in an environment that encourages new ideas and continuous improvement. Their commitment to providing service excellence ensures that you will be at the forefront of responding to customer needs in a fast-paced industry. Furthermore, you will collaborate with talented colleagues across various departments, building strong working relationships that foster professional growth and development.

Relocation (including from Europe) available. The role is based in Somerset, UK.