Product Manager, Biomaterials

Nature’s Fynd is a groundbreaking food tech company born out of NASA-supported research on extremophiles in the geothermal pools of Yellowstone National Park. Our novel fermentation technology produces a sustainable source of complete protein using only a fraction of the resources required by traditional agriculture. As the challenge to feed the world’s expanding population grows, our mission is to create amazing foods and materials that provide sustainable choices and nurture the planet.We’re looking for passionate, driven, and ambitious people to join our fast-growing team.We are looking an Product Manager who will oversee the commercialization and scale-up operations of a next-frontier innovation. This role is based in Chicago.

What you will do

• Cultivate a General Manager mindset and collaborate with senior leadership to commercialize next-frontier business opportunities
• Develop both the go-to-market strategy and the tactical execution plans to support commercialization, including project management, operations and supply chain design, and partnership development.
• Collaborate with internal and external experts to design a manufacturing space and process to scale-up a new-to-world innovation. Oversee partners and stakeholders to execute on the operational vision while meeting high quality standards
• Lead cross-functional project management for highest priority opportunities
• Develop deep technical understanding of our core fermentation technology and all technical aspects of prioritized business opportunities
• Build and own relationships with critical third-party partners to support efforts
• Support ongoing, mission-critical, executive priorities as required in a fast-paced, get-it-done environment

Your profile

• Highly Analytical and a Bias for Action: you can quickly drive to insights, finding scrappy ways to solve complex problems, while maintaining attention to detail and organization
• Project Management and Execution: you can own dynamic, cross-functional work plans, finding the necessary resources to deliver on key milestones.
• Influencing and Relationship Building: you have a knack for influencing and partnering across departments, levels, and with external partners
• Strategic Thinking and Intellectual Rigor: you can balance thorough analysis with high-level strategic thinking to focus on what matters most
• Growth Mindset: you enjoy the process of getting better at what you do, and systematically seek out feedback to improve
• Thrive Under Autonomy: you excel in environments with high levels of individual ownership and decision-making
• Comfort with Ambiguity: you are comfortable with taking nebulous concepts with limited direction and translating them into concrete insights and actions
• Humility and Emotional Agility: you are ready to make a difference quickly, embrace our unique culture, and build credibility across the organization
• Kind, Optimistic, and Fun: you enjoy collaborating on challenging problems and investing in the success of those around you

Experience & qualifications

• Degree or extensive experience in a scientific field or business rooted in science.
• 5+ years of professional work experience, ideally in a project management, product development, engineering, operations, or equivalent role
• Experience with general management , and in leading cross-functional teams and work streams
• Deep understanding or interest in biotechnology, fermentation, biomaterials, fashion a plus
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office, PowerPoint, Excel, G Suite

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care benefits and 401K
• Participation in Employee Stock Ownership Program
• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience
• Opportunity to join a company with an aggressive growth trajectory that will revolutionize multiple industries