Vice President of Research and 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
Vice President of Research & Development will lead an R&D unit within a growth-oriented business, balancing functional goals with business unit and enterprise objectives, and have a significant impact on long-term business success. This individual will be a proven leader in food technology and product development with extensive hands on experience in the plant-based sector. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead a research and development unit in the creation of transformative plant-based foods and technologies
• Provide oversight, planning, and key input to critical disciplines such as ingredient technologies, food product development, process development, equipment design, R&D strategy, and intellectual property
• Create and deliver scientific research projects that align with business initiatives
• 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 nutritional and dietary ingredient studies, and disseminate relevant information to key internal stakeholders
• 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
• 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

• Ph.D. in a related scientific discipline
• 10+ years of experience in leading product development team 
• Knowledge of R&D practices and processes; leadership of senior level scientists
• Demonstrated skills in critical thinking, impactful scientific research, study design, and analysis and interpretation of scientific data
• Demonstrated ability to consistently deliver high-impact results
• 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 orientated 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, office and kitchen environments with some travel (10%)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Frequent sitting at a desk, communication-using computer and phone

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.