Director, Commercialization

• 
  Nextbite has implemented a COVID-19 vaccine policy that all staff will be required to follow (with or without reasonable accommodations) in order to perform any in-person job functions or attend any in-person team events. If you have any questions on this policy, we will connect you with the appropriate People Ops team member for answers as we engage in the interview process.

The impact you will have:

• Work closely with the FoodX & Operations team to develop and rigorously test new products across multiple product categories and throughout all phases of product development, while considering critical technical issues such as: food safety, food stability, shelf-life, scalability, equipment requirements, trainability, etc
• Write technical and project commercialization plans to include project initiations, status reports, protocols, finished product specifications, test & trial protocol/summary documents
• Conduct tests & trials, analyze results, and determine product & process improvements
• Proactively identify and solve complex technical problems and/or optimization opportunities and potential hurdles to improve upon/avoid before going into scale to include processes as well as formulations and raw materials
• Identify and qualify contract manufacturers for specific project needs, and support site assessments as required
• Lead or support the commercialization of internally developed products at a wide range of partner and/or client plants and co-manufacturers
• Maintain formulation database as the company’s source of truth, inclusive of raw ingredient documentation, specification sheets, etc.
• Responsible for nutrition system management
• Regulatory guidance on product labeling, and other similar regulatory requirements
• Provide subject matter expertise on a range of food product and manufacturing technologies
• Food Safety/Sanitation and leadership and compliance
• Implement, maintain and enforce Food Safety/Sanitation policies and procedures in other food-related areas of the Nextbite facilities
• Look for continuous improvement strategies and build upon current processes
• Communicate project status and milestones to key team members and ensure teams are accountable to complete tasks at hand
• Directly manage, lead, and grow a team of Commercialization technicians and a culinary operations liaison, providing mentorship and development
• Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring compliance by all team members

What you bring to the role:

• BS or MS in Food Science or related discipline
• 10 years of food or beverage commercialization experience
• Culinary, restaurant operations, and/or Operations Services experience preferred
• Project management methodology experience, including schedule, scope, issue, and risk management experience
• Ability to multitask and meet deadlines across multiple projects
• Data driven decision maker with business acumen and strong analytical skills
• Experience in collecting, analyzing, and presenting data
• Strong interpersonal communication, written and verbal
• Results-driven, with a strong work ethic and a high sense of urgency, accountability, and initiative
• Professionalism and Leadership
• Must be passionate about food and beverage and obsessed with delivering high-quality customer experiences
• Continuous improvement mindset with a high tolerance for ambiguity
• Must be comfortable leading and influencing cross-functional teams without direct authority
• Willing to travel up to 25% of the time domestically, or as required by client and project needs
• Ability to lift at least 40 pounds
• Knowledge of Google Sheets, Docs, Slides or Power Point and ESHA Genesis program"

What we offer:

• A team that has transitioned to remote work impressively and remains highly collaborative and connected
• Excellent growth opportunity and stock options for all full-time employees
• Medical, dental, and vision (eligible on 1st of the month following start date)
• Unlimited access to dedicated CFP through Origin for 1:1 assistance with financial planning (may include your partner!)
• Paid company holidays and PTO for all full time employees, with unlimited PTO for salaried and 3 weeks accrued PTO for hourly
• 401k with company match (eligible on 1st of the month following start date)
• $60/month reimbursement for online-ordered meals
• $250 annual reimbursement for work from home needs for all non-kitchen full-time employees
• Bonusly - a team recognition platform with fun rewards
• We pride ourselves in having a team that promotes diversity, inclusion, leadership, mindfulness, high initiative, energy, and passion.

Perks and Benefits