Innovation Scientist job in Emeryville

WHO WE ARE

REBBL is a fast-growing beverage company based out of Emeryville, California, crafting Super Herb Elixirs that are a reflection of our obsessive attention to ingredient purity, potency, and authenticity. We were born out of a conscious collaboration between global thought-leaders, whose soul-purpose was to address the malfunctioning global food system through a regenerative business model that would respect, uplift, and delight the world. What we aim to achieve will not come easily; this work takes serious grit. Our goal is to consciously grow a performance-driven, best in class team that is REBBL-hearted, with passion, unrelenting drive, and mutual trust. We’re looking for someone extraordinary to join our tight-knit team.

COMMITMENT TO IMPACT

We are deeply committed to supporting human dignity through impact sourcing and supply chain integrity. 2.5% of our net sales go to Not For Sale, our co-founder and nonprofit partner, to support efforts in eradicating human trafficking. Through initiatives with our grower communities, we strive to stop trafficking before it happens, and in our efforts with Not for Sale, we support at-risk individuals and the healing of those who have been trafficked.

WHO YOU ARE

• Entrepreneurial - energized and invigorated in a fast-paced, dynamic and lean organization
• Ready & willing to put all hands on deck to tackle everything from big strategic initiatives, to the nitty-gritty projects that keep our business flowing
• A team player and leader by nature
• A great listener and communicator
• Curious and creative - always bringing a thoughtful, optimistic approach to challenges and never settling for the status quo
• Someone who knows how to balance the art of food with the science of creating exquisite real food alchemy
• Ready for the challenge of developing nourishing products without the usual tricks of flavor systems, gums, preservatives or refined sugars
• Analytical, data-driven, hyper-organized, while also being a passionate, foodie-minded, adventurous taster of all things with a nuanced palette and love for the unknown
• Worldly, curious and inspired by the traditional knowledge of other cultures
• Understand the importance of managing to a timeline with multi-departmental impact
• Embody bold humility – confidently bringing forward breakthrough ideas while having the humility to always learn and grow from the greater team
• Passionate about sustainability, people, the planet, making a difference at REBBL and the work we share every day
• Welcoming of humor in the midst of high-stress situations

PURPOSE

The REBBL Innovation Scientist is responsible for leading the development of new product platforms and driving the development of line extensions, product improvements, and cost savings. This person will also assist the Innovation team by evaluating the technical viability of concepts, conducting ingredient research, and partnering with our suppliers, co-manufacturers, and internal team to bring concepts through commercialization.

This role reports to the Sr. Innovations Manager of REBBL and works closely with the operations team, the project manager, sales and marketing to bring products of substance to market. The Innovations team supports the brand vision and insights of the Chief Innovations Officer with the practical planning and execution needed to bring those visions to life in products that inspire, delight and uplift the world.

• ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Driving continuous improvement of the existing product in key areas:
• Cost reduction
• Sensory improvements (visual, texture, taste, aroma)
• Efficacy improvements
• Ingredient integrity
• Executing innovation pipeline projects
• Leading benchtop development and testing of new product concepts
• Define and communicate product design criteria to external resources – collaborate with these parties to drive projects forward in a timely and effective manner
• Working with sourcing manager to find new raw materials to feed pipeline planning and formulation work
• Working with operations, sales and marking to bring products from the bench to full commercialization
• Help develop specifications for finished products and ingredients
• Research support
• Scientific/clinical research review, summarizing and distilling for formulation support, marketing and legal claims review
• Media reviews of current and developing health and wellness trends
• Document observed results, analyze data, draw conclusions, and recommendations during product development activities
• Innovation department management
• Assist in the management of any in-house laboratory capabilities:
• Formulation and analytical equipment
• Storage and organizational systems for ingredients and coding
• Ensure laboratory equipment is calibrated and in good working order
• Entering new ingredients and formulations into formulation software
• This role will require roughly 20% travel to support commercialization efforts

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & KEY SKILLS

The ideal candidate is a proven innovator with experience in a food or beverage CPG company, preferably in the natural/specialty/premium space. Experience with a purpose-driven brand is a plus.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Food Science or related field
• 3 - 5 years of experience in CPG/food/beverage R&D or Innovation
• Has experience managing projects
• Has strong organizational and communication skills with experience working with cross-functional teams
• Has balanced expertise in food science, product development, and culinary ability
• Has experience in a lab setting with working knowledge of all basic analytical and food science related bench-top equipment
• Has experience taking a product from the bench to commercialization
• Has a basic understanding of FDA and USDA NOP regulations and ideally some experience with organic food
• Has the ability and desire to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Has a proactive, solution-oriented approach to projects, and is highly motivated to learn
• Has experience building strong and lasting relationships with vendors and suppliers