Senior Applications Scientist

Our client is a VC-backed nano-biotechnology start-up revolutionizing the functional ingredient space in food and beverage. As the Function House™, they develop, manufacture, and license patented smart nanocarriers (nanovesicles) that optimize the performance of functional ingredients across multiple verticals including nootropics, energy stimulants, vitamins, probiotics, and protein. Founded in 2019 with 70+ patents, they've experienced 8x sales growth in the past year and partner with small, mid-size, and large CPG companies.

What YOU get to DO in this role:
Lead Finished Product Development and Applications:

• Serve as the resident expert in finished good applications, communicating to the Research and Development team opportunities and challenges associated with incorporating core technology into various product formats.
• Excel in product formulation with deep understanding of ingredient functionality, interactions, and Design of Experiments methodologies.
• Proactively identify market pain points associated with strategic products and platforms to drive innovation.

Identify and Incorporate Best Practices for Applications Lab:

• Build overall applications lab with required ingredients, equipment, and personnel to support product development initiatives.
• Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) and application sheets for various product applications that can be shared across teams.
• Identify and implement appropriate software systems to efficiently manage recipes and processing parameters.
• Define best practices associated with sensory sample evaluations; enable broader teams to effectively contribute to evaluations.
• Partner with production and quality departments to complete scale-up trials and support QA/QC with troubleshooting when necessary.

Be an Extension of Sales:

• Drive "customer first" mentality by identifying and communicating clear customer needs to internal teams.
• Provide technical services to customers as needed, including plant trials, troubleshooting, and training.
• Assist customers by participating in in-house visits, answering technical questions, and conducting presentations/seminars as needed.
• Demonstrate deep understanding of customers, product categories, and consumer preferences.
• Drive technical-to-technical relationships with customers to ensure proof of concept execution and successful product launches.
• Drive new win revenue through timely project execution and exceptional customer support.

What you NEED to SUCCEED in this role:

• Food science or related technical (biology, chemistry) bachelor's degree required.
• 8–10 years of experience in B2B food & beverage ingredients with 5+ years in an applications role.
• Strategic mindset with ability to tactically execute with a hands-on approach.
• Customer-oriented with proven ability to build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Experience with broad non-alcoholic beverage applications; experience in food, dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, and confections also a positive.
• Technical background with preference for experience with emulsions, encapsulation, or other colloid-based systems.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with internal stakeholders and customers.
• Experience with rapidly growing, fast-paced businesses and/or start-up experience with understanding of start-up culture and mentality.

What's in it for YOU?

• Competitive salary range of $110K–$140K plus performance bonus.
• Stock options (after initial employment period) providing ownership stake in a high-growth start-up.
• Comprehensive benefits package including Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Innovative environment at the forefront of food and beverage innovation.
• IN-PERSON role at company headquarters in the Austin, TX Metropolitan Area.