Director of Research Development

Join to apply for the Director of Research Development role at Food Impact Partners

Join to apply for the Director of Research Development role at Food Impact Partners

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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 Director

• Employment type
  
  Full-time

• Job function Research
• Industries Food and Beverage Manufacturing and Biotechnology Research

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