Chief Product Officer
Chicago, IL
Food Innovation /
Full-time /
On-site
Nature’s Fynd is a groundbreaking food tech company born out of NASA-supported research on extremophiles in the geothermal pools of Yellowstone National Park. Our novel fermentation technology produces a sustainable source of complete protein using only a fraction of the resources required by traditional agriculture. As the challenge to feed the world’s expanding population grows, our mission is to create amazing foods and materials that provide sustainable choices and nurture the planet.
We’re looking for passionate, driven, and ambitious people to join our fast-growing team.
Nature’s Fynd is looking to recruit a Chief Product Officer to lead Retail & Foodservice projects from concept through commercialization. Reporting to the CEO, they will orchestrate the technical work to deliver new products, productivity and overall performance criteria. The role designs consumer-centric products across existing and new categories. The leader will translate functional ingredient and sensory sciences coupled with Food Safety & Regulatory requirements into a range of food categories leveraging Nature’s Fund nutritional fungi protein technology.
Responsibilities:
- Provide visionary leadership to the product team, inspiring them to strive for excellence and innovation to build, renovate and extend product lines
- Oversee the end-to-end product development process, from concept validation and prototyping to commercialization and launch
- Manage multiple company-level objectives and key results
- Develop and apply new technical knowledge to create new products; stay informed on external ingredients and technology that may be used in development and improvement of new and existing products
- Manage the company's product portfolio, balancing short-term revenue goals with long-term strategic objectives. Make data-driven decisions regarding product optimization, expansion, or discontinuation based on market dynamics and customer feedback
Requirements:
- 10+ years progressive technical innovation experience across Product and Packaging R&D, Quality, and Culinary Sciences at food and beverage companies
- Product leadership experience in both large CPG and startup environments including at least 5 years leading a team
- Drive to create groundbreaking products with experience in Cultured Products, Plant Based Foods & Beverages, Meals & Enhancers, Frozen Foods experience preferred
- Mastery of Sensory, Consumer Sciences, and Competitive Benchmarking
- Ability to effectively lead and motivate teams across a variety of functional roles
- Experience leading deeply technical product plans and aligning business strategy and technology delivery
- Proven change agent and a strong strategic thinker
- Track record of clear communications with C-suite stakeholders and across cross-functional team
Exceptional candidates will possess an M.S or PhD in Food Science, Food Engineering, or Related Field.
Benefits:
- Participation in Employee Stock Ownership Program
- 100% paid employee benefits (medical, dental, vision)
- Generous Parental leave policy
- Opportunity to join a company with an aggressive growth trajectory that will revolutionize multiple industries
- Engaging and dynamic work culture full of innovation and collaboration with your fellow Fynders
Commitment To Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, And Belonging:
- Nature’s Fynd views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values
EEO Statement:
- We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law
