Join to apply for the Director of Research Development role at Food Impact Partners
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Recruitment Director | Building teams across FoodTech | AgriTech | Biomanufacturing Are you ready to lead the charge in revolutionising the future of sustainable food ingredients?
Food Impact Partners have exclusively partners with an ambitious food-tech start-up, that is on a mission to unlock the full potential of an ancient grain. They’re developing a suite of clean-label, functional ingredients for tomorrow’s food industry, and they need a hands-on, strategic R&D Director to take the reins.
What’s the gig?
You’ll be the architect of the R&D function from the ground up — designing the strategy, shaping the lab, and hiring your team. This is your chance to blend creativity and science in an environment that values big ideas and real-world impact.
What you'll do:
Lead development of a portfolio of functional ingredients, using your expertise in processing, extraction, and application development.
Collaborate with equipment vendors and pilot facilities (UK & abroad) to run trials and optimise processes.
Set up a strong in-house lab, plus manage a network of external experts and academic partners.
Drive innovation in ingredient extraction, purification, and application testing.
Hire and mentor a brilliant team (process engineers, scientists, application experts).
Identify and protect IP — patents, freedom to operate, the whole shebang.
Balance strategy and execution — from lab decisions to long-term roadmaps.
What you bring:
A PhD in food science, bioprocessing, chemical engineering or a related field.
10+ years of experience developing and launching functional food ingredients (think starches, proteins).
Strong background in grain processing or plant protein extraction.
A track record of setting up and running R&D teams and labs.
Entrepreneurial drive and a collaborative, “let’s-make-it-happen” attitude.
Bonus points for IP/patent experience and academic partnerships.
Because you’ll be at the forefront of a food-tech movement that’s grounded in sustainability, science, and smart innovation. You’ll shape the future of food, working alongside visionaries — and having fun while you do it.
Sound like your kind of challenge? Please apply.
Seniority level Seniority level Director
Employment type Employment type Full-time
Job function Job function Research
Industries Food and Beverage Manufacturing and Biotechnology Research
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