Product Development Specialist

At NotCo, we're a passionate team driven by a profound mission: to shape the future of food while protecting our planet. With the aid of Giuseppe, our own artificial intelligence, we strive to reinvent the food industry one delicious bite at a time, focusing on plant-based innovations.

Our success hinges on three essential elements: science, technology, and a diverse group of innovative talents who are dedicated to creating a sustainable future. We embrace challenges, learn from failures, and celebrate incredible successes.

We are searching for a Product Development Specialist to join our B2B Research & Development team in San Francisco, California. This role requires an active on-site presence and will report to our R&D Sr. Team Lead. You will collaborate across various functions to drive R&D initiatives successfully.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct day-to-day product development activities for multiple projects, supporting the full product lifecycle from concept to commercial launch.
• Design and execute bench-top tests, pilot trials, and full-scale formulations to develop high-quality food products that meet sensory, cost, and performance targets.
• Utilize sensory and analytical analyses to guide and validate the development process effectively.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation, track experiments, and outline finished goods and ingredient specifications.
• Provide valuable feedback to project leads regarding technical and process-related information.
• Communicate effectively with cross-functional teams, articulating perspectives and trade-offs associated with new product development goals.
• Leverage NotCo's proprietary AI technology for the development and enhancement of food products.
• Engage in formula validation, process development, scale-up, and technology transfer activities.
• Participate in client communications and workshops, bringing technical expertise to the table.
• Timely documentation of all R&D activities is essential.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Engineering, Food Science, Biotechnology, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in Food R&D, preferably in both food and beverage categories.
• Agile and adaptable in a dynamic culture; proactive in overcoming obstacles and strategizing solutions.
• Ability to adjust to changing priorities based on project learnings and team goals.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written, with proven collaboration abilities.
• Comfortable in client-facing roles, capable of simplifying complex topics for diverse audiences.
• Excited to innovate in a startup environment and develop new processes from scratch.
• Problem-solving mindset with initiative and strong project management skills.
• Data-driven analytical skills and the ability to effectively present data to leadership.
• Experience working in cross-functional teams and a matrixed environment on regional and global levels.
• Proficient in MS Office, especially Excel, and strong computer skills.
• Authorization to work in the U.S. is required.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time, including international travel.

NotCo is committed to equitable and fair compensation practices. The pay range for this role is $65,000 - $75,000, with actual compensation based on individual candidate factors, including skill set, experience, certifications, and location-specific labor costs.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability.