Food Scientist: Production, Product Development & Regulatory

Food Scientist:  Production, Product Development & Regulatory

Full time. Salaried. In-person in Tukwila, WA and production facilities

About Us: Rebellyous Foods is a leading, plant-based meat start-up working to make our products available and affordable for everyone. We are a small team of professionals working to make an impact by bringing healthier, climate-friendly foods to kids in public schools, patients and workers in hospitals, the incarcerated and customers in restaurants & cafeterias across the United States. We believe that everyone should have access to plant-based foods, and neither price nor desire for high quality should be a barrier. We value dedication to excellence and impact, a joyfully strong work ethic and the ability to inspire the same in others.

About the Role: Rebellyous Foods is seeking a qualified Food Scientist to be the point person for production quality & food safety, product development, and regulatory/certification management. The ideal candidate will be energetic, flexible, detail-oriented and amenable to working in a fast-paced, constantly changing, technically-challenging start-up environment. This position is an extraordinary opportunity to join the growth stage of a fast growing, mission-focused start-up working to change the meat processing industry to address climate change and democratize access to climate-friendly foods for everyone. This position reports to the CEO as part of the Operations team. 

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

Production Management:

Work with contract manufacturers (including travel to plant locations) to monitor production quality, food safety and specification within the facility. 

Create training materials and administer training for co-manufacturer personnel to ensure quality of products.

Develop and monitor quality assurance metrics throughout the manufacturing process to ensure saleability and consistent quality of finished goods. 

Review and prepare documentation and reporting for each production run using the ERP system. Maintain clear & accurate records. 

Address urgent production matters as they arise. 

Product Development: 

Work with the Rebellyous team to create new products and produce prototypes in the Rebellyous test kitchen. 

Complete twice weekly sensory tastings of our products to ensure quality and to test new recipe performance.  

Plan, record and disseminate information for new product development and commercialization, including project management, marketing material, timelines, vendor sample requests, and production runs of new and modified recipe products. 

Work closely with ingredient vendors to order test ingredients, and maintain the test kitchen per Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). 

Support new product commercialization, working closely with the team. 

Manage and execute special projects as assigned in support of production or R&D efforts. Maintain clear & accurate records. 

Regulatory Management:  

Establish and maintain quality and food safety programs and specialty or third-party certifications for our partner facilities and our products.

Maintain a database of ingredients and product information including updated certifications and handle requests for information from the team.

Maintain packaging regulatory compliance and work with vendors for packaging updates. 

Complete requirements for ad hoc company regulatory requirements or requests.

Monitor quality and food safety compliance for all products. 

Support company safety initiatives. 

Skills & Experience Requirements:

Bachelor's Degree in Food Science or similar field of study related to food production. Training or education in food science, engineering, microbiology, or similar fields is required. 

1-2 years experience in either food production, product development, and/or food safety.

Willingness to travel approximately 1 week per month (sometimes more or less) and work occasional weekends and after-hours shifts when necessary.

Ability to follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) including washing and sanitizing hands and gloves, wearing of proper equipment, and practicing good hygiene.   

Ability to obtain a Washington State Food Workers Card.

Detailed record keeping abilities and thoughtfulness regarding project iteration. 

Flexibility is a must, as day-to-day operations may pivot due to production or testing needs.

Attention to detail, commitment to excellence, and adherence to food safety.

Comfortable handling and preparing food with a willingness to learn and follow all procedures and protocols.

Ability to work in an ever-evolving environment with constant changes to processes and equipment.

Able to lift, bend, squat, and carry up to 40 pounds. 

A passion to make the plant-based meat industry succeed.

Ability to work with your hands extensively and stand on your feet for 8 hours or more.

Ability to complete physical labor such as cooking, packaging and cleaning.

Compensation and benefits: Commensurate with experience from $65,000 to $80,000 annually. Full-time employees are eligible for medical, dental and vision insurance, paid vacation and sick leave.

Location: Headquarters (on-site): Tukwila, WA.  Travel required  approximately 25% of each month.

How to apply: Apply on our website at www.rebellyous.com/careers.  We are genuinely interested in learning more about why you are excited to work at Rebellyous Foods, so please provide a cover letter with your resume. 

Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy: At Rebellyous Foods, we aim to attract the most qualified and creative problem-solvers to the mission of providing sustainable, affordable meat alternatives. In achieving that goal, Rebellyous Foods does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our operations. Women, minorities, people of color, and those with non-traditional educational and experiential backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Further, we are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, subcontractors, vendors, and clients. Discrimination or harassment in any form or based on any of the above factors is prohibited, as is retaliation against a person who has made a complaint or given information regarding possible violations of our policy.