Associate Food Scientist

Our Client Is Hiring!

Ripple Foods is looking for an Associate Food Scientist to help further strengthen our Product Development Team. Reporting to our Director of Product Development, this person will have an integral role in leading the product development of our next wave product innovations, while also lending technical support to our growing base business. We are looking for a candidate with a strong food science foundation, and a demonstrated expertise in plant proteins, to help Ripple advance its’ mission of making sustainable and delicious plant-based foods.

A successful candidate will be an essential member of the product development team, responsible for conducting benchtop experiments across plant-based food products. Specific tasks include:

• Independently leads the benchtop development of plant-based beverages with varying levels of complexity
• Planning, managing, and executing protein research on the bench with the goal of improving plant protein functionality and finished product quality.
• Supports the manager in creating and executing product development project plans
• Independently directs the activities of external vendors, including ingredients and services.
• Exploring ways to characterize protein functionality for various plant protein sources
• Data visualization and statistical analysis of experimental results, as well as interpreting and communicating the findings to R&D teams
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to execute and manage projects

The ideal candidate will have 4-6+ years of product development experience with demonstrated expertise working on complex food formulations. Experience working on beverages or CPG brand(s) preferred. The candidate will also have excellent scientific and personal skills, including:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in food science, biochemistry, chemistry, food technology, nutrition, or a related field
• Ability to travel internationally approximately 20% of the time.
• Extensive ingredient, flavor development, and protein stability knowledge
• Innate curiosity for understanding complex food systems from a physical and chemical perspective
• Good laboratory practices, including organized data documentation and presentation, attention to detail, and the ability to follow batch protocols
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple projects/tasks at any given time
• Strong computer skills, especially working with nutritional software, spreadsheets, and quality systems
• Knowledge of Thermal pasteurization and/or sterilization of food products
• Proven teamwork and collaboration in small groups
• Experience in initiating, executing, analyzing, and reporting scientific projects independently and as part of a team

Bonus points if you have experience with:

• Product development of dairy and/or plant-based food products
• Researching food systems or components (proteins, carbohydrates, fats, etc.)
• Characterizing protein functionality (e.g. solubility, gelling, foaming)
• Developing assays and utilizing analytical instruments

• An inclusive and collaborative environment where all ideas are welcome, iteration is encouraged, and the best ideas are adopted. As a certified B-corporation, we go the extra mile to ensure our business benefits our employees, our consumers, our local community, and the world around us.
• Excellent Health care coverage for you and your family
• Generous time off: the freedom you need to take time away from work to rest and recharge
• Pay It Forward or Give It Back: 20 hours paid time each year to volunteer. Join a planned event or volunteer individually for a cause that matters to you
• Paid bonding leave for new parents and pregnancy disability leave

Location: On-site Berkeley, CA
Pay Range: $115k-$120k per year, plus bonus.