Director of Research Development

Are you ready to lead the charge in revolutionising the future of sustainable food ingredients?

Our client — an ambitious food-tech start-up — is on a mission to unlock the full potential of an ancient grain. They’re developing a suite of clean-label, functional ingredients for tomorrow’s food industry, and they need a hands-on, strategic R&D Director to take the reins.

What’s the gig?

You’ll be the architect of the R&D function from the ground up — designing the strategy, shaping the lab, and hiring your team. This is your chance to blend creativity and science in an environment that values big ideas and real-world impact.

What you'll do:

• Lead development of a portfolio of functional ingredients, using your expertise in processing, extraction, and application development.
• Collaborate with equipment vendors and pilot facilities (UK & abroad) to run trials and optimise processes.
• Set up a strong in-house lab, plus manage a network of external experts and academic partners.
• Drive innovation in ingredient extraction, purification, and application testing.
• Hire and mentor a brilliant team (process engineers, scientists, application experts).
• Identify and protect IP — patents, freedom to operate, the whole shebang.
• Balance strategy and execution — from lab decisions to long-term roadmaps.

What you bring:

• A PhD in food science, bioprocessing, chemical engineering or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience developing and launching functional food ingredients (think starches, proteins).
• Strong background in grain processing or plant protein extraction.
• A track record of setting up and running R&D teams and labs.
• Entrepreneurial drive and a collaborative, “let’s-make-it-happen” attitude.
• Bonus points for IP/patent experience and academic partnerships.

Why join?

Because you’ll be at the forefront of a food-tech movement that’s grounded in sustainability, science, and smart innovation. You’ll shape the future of food, working alongside visionaries — and having fun while you do it.

Sound like your kind of challenge? Please apply.