Head of Product Development

Description Want to build a tastier future through cutting-edge technologies? We are looking for a mission-driven, creative, and committed Head of Product Development to join us. Come and bring your skills to the table! GOURMEY is one of Europe's leading cultivated meat companies with global ambitions. Our vision is to create sustainable cultivated meat delights directly from animal cells for a conscious generation. We believe in a world where succulence can share a table with a positive impact, and that cutting-edge technology combined with culinary arts can help us get there. From engineers or scientists to culinary experts, we’re building an international team that shares the same passion for positive change. Currently a team of 65 Gourmates, we have dozens of nationalities at the table! Our differences are our strengths, and our common language is food. At GOURMEY, you will report to Victor Sayous, CTO. What will you be responsible for? As the Head of Product Development, you will play a critical role in transforming scientific research into a portfolio of market-ready, high-end cultivated meat products. You will oversee our Food Science R&D and upscaling process, ensuring the successful commercialization of cultivated meat products that meet the highest quality and sensory standards. Your background in food science and research, combined with your understanding of market trends and consumer preferences, will be crucial in delivering innovative products that stand out in the cultivated meat space. You will manage a team of three to five direct reports, including scientists, product developers, and food technologists, while collaborating cross-functionally with business, cell production, analytical chemistry, lab operations, IP, regulatory, and quality teams. Lead Product Innovation: Drive the research and development of cultivated meat products, from proof-of-concept to pilot production and commercialization. R&D Strategy Development: Oversee the development of cutting-edge food science and biotechnology solutions to optimize texture, flavor, nutrition, and sustainability. Pilot Upscaling: Oversee the process of scaling cultivated meat prototypes from the lab to pilot production, ensuring feasibility for large-scale manufacturing. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with business, cell production, regulatory, quality, and food safety teams to ensure products align with market demands, regulatory and quality requirements, and consumer expectations. Team Leadership: Mentor and manage a team of 3-5 direct reports (Food texture Scientists, Flavour experts, Product Developers, and Food Technologists) to achieve product development milestones and strategic goals. Market and Consumer Insight: Utilize your marketing experience to guide the product roadmap, ensuring that R&D efforts are aligned with market trends and consumer preferences. Innovation Pipeline: Develop a robust product pipeline, keeping the company at the cutting edge of cultivated meat technology and market trends. What about you? Background in Food Science, Biomaterial Sciences, Rheology, Chemical Engineering or related field is a must-have. Ideally PhD. 8+ years of full cycle industry experience in food product development, with a proven track record of successfully taking innovative food products from concept to market, with full accountability on leading projects as the key driver between involved R&D and go-to-market parties. Strong understanding of food texture development, R&D processes, pilot-scale and industrial production, ideally within the alternative proteins or premium food products sector. Marketing experience, with a deep understanding of consumer trends, product positioning, and go-to-market strategies. Experience working with regulatory bodies and understanding of food safety and compliance standards. Proven leadership skills with the ability to inspire and manage a high-performing team, as well as address conflicts and diverging priorities. Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, innovative environment. What do we offer? You will join a fast-growing startup located in the center of Paris, with a global ambition to build the future of food through cutting-edge technologies in an inclusive work environment valuing the importance of work-life balance. We offer: ? GOURMEY’s ESOP 25 days of paid leave + extra holidays (depending on your contract) ? Attractive Health insurance policy (higher than the minimum required) Meal vouchers (We use Swile) Work-life balance monitoring Sustainable transportation and offer extra compensation to those who cycle to work Fresh fruits and nuts delivered weekly Annual company retreat What is our recruitment process? Inclusiveness is at the heart of everything we do at GOURMEY. By being transparent about each step of the process, and why we do things the way we do, we believe we can give all candidates a foretaste of GOURMEY’s culture. During the process, you will meet some of your team members in different parts of the recruitment process which will look like this: Interviews with our Talent Acquisition Manager, future colleagues, and manager. A last interview on-site (when possible) to meet part of the team and visit the labs & office. Want to know more about us? We are a science, purpose, and engineering-driven company, founded in 2019 and now entering its next phase of growth after our recent fundraising. We are dedicated to creating breakthrough technologies that will help address and push the boundaries of what’s possible – delivering innovations that benefit people and the planet. If you want to know more, have a look at our LinkedIn page, Career Site, Glassdoor reviews as well as the many press reviews (Bloomberg; Forbes). About Gourmey GOURMEY is France's pioneering cultivated meat company. We create sustainable cultivated meat delights for an uncompromising and conscious generation. Join us: Join.gourmey.com #J-18808-Ljbffr