Product Innovation Associate (Ingredient Developer & Sourcer)

Our Mission

We make it easy for everyone to build healthy habits and eat more fruit and vegetables by creating innovative products that are highly nutritious, sustainable, and delicious.

How We Do It

Just 1 in 10 US adults eats the recommended minimum of 5 cups of fruits and vegetables every day. We're helping solve that problem with convenient, organic, and mouth-watering products. We transform fresh, organic fruits and veggies into handy single-serving meal moments such as instant smoothies and delicious ready-to-eat fruit snacks and oatmeal. 

Job Overview

We are a fast growing B-Corp company who strongly believes every single kencko-er we hire is a key part of our shared success. The Product Innovation Associate will play a pivotal role in identifying and developing new ingredients that will fuel our product innovations. This role requires a keen understanding of food technology, an inquisitive mindset, and strong project management skills to collaborate with external suppliers and follow- up on ingredient development projects.

Responsibilities

• Proactively research and identify innovative ingredients that can drive new product categories and enhance existing product lines;
• Collaborate with the R&D and Product teams to identify ingredient needs for both current and future projects;
• Collaborate and work alongside sourcing and purchasing to ensure the best negotiation of ingredients and new developments;
• Proactively propose new ideas for ingredient innovation and improvements to existing ingredients;
• Arrange for internal sample evaluation and reporting;
• Partner with external suppliers to co-develop new ingredients, ensuring they meet required specifications, quality, and sustainability standards;
• Manage ingredient development projects from concept through to ingredient approval, including databases;
• Conduct risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies to address potential ingredient-related issues;
• Assist with the evaluation of potential ingredients for quality, safety, functionality, and compliance with regulatory standards and kencko requirements;
• Stay informed about industry trends, technological advancements, and emerging scientific research related to food ingredients;
• Optimize process and ingredients to conserve costs while maintaining kencko's brand integrity; and
• Responsible for managing stock required for lab tests.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food chemistry, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
  • Strong knowledge of food ingredient functionality and processing
  • Familiarity with the food innovation network and industry trends
  • 2+ years experience working in the food industry 
  • Ability to work in our Lisbon office a minimum of twice a week and in Cabra Figa when needed 
  Technical Skills:
  • Advanced Knowledge of Food Science and Technology
  • Ingredient Functionality and Application expertise
  • Food Processing and Manufacturing Technologies understanding
  • Regulatory and Compliance Familiarity
  • Fluent English and Portuguese
  Bonus points
  • Analytical and Sensory Testing training 
  • Experience with workspace and project collaboration tools, like Notion
  • German, French or other languages
  • US market experience

What we offer

• The opportunity to join a B-Corp team that is shaking up the nutrition industry for the better!
  
• An employee stock equity award
  
• 25 days of paid time off
• 6 sick or well-being days 
• 9.60 euros per day for a meal allowance
  
• Steep discounts on kencko products for you and friends/family
• Nutrition Consults
• Generous Maternity/Paternity and Marriage Leave policies 
  
• Donation to your favorite charity on your birthday!
• Wellness perks via our kencko-er assistance program (legal, financial, work/life balance, and mental health services)
• A casual, dynamic, ambitious, and for real fun work environment

How To Apply

Along with your CV, in English, please answer the questions found in the application. 

**kencko is committed to bringing together individuals from different backgrounds and perspectives. We strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, feel a sense of belonging, and do great work together. As an equal opportunity employer, we prohibit any unlawful discrimination against a job applicant on the basis of their race, color, religion, veteran status, sex, parental status, gender identity or expression, transgender status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetic information. We are dedicated to going above and beyond in fostering diversity across our company."