A fast growing AgTech
company located in Silicon Valley is searching for an experienced Sr.
Food Scientist or Director of Food Science that will head up the
activities of our client’s Product and Application Research laboratory.
This includes routine quality evaluation of fruits, vegetables and
ornamentals, as well as coordinating commercial sampling and field
applications. This position will manage a small team of technicians in
the lab as well as activities with academic institutions and industry
partners.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Coordinate
lab experiments including protocol and method development. Execute
experiments, perform analyses and document results.
Coordinate
lab experiments with partner institutions such as USDA, UC Davis,
or other academic or industry partner.
Coordinate
field trials with customers that occur all around the globe. This
will involve maintenance of a network of fresh produce marine
survey companies to perform inspections around the globe.
Interface
with academic, industry and government network of produce experts
for peer review of protocols and experimental results.
Manage,
operate and train employees on lab equipment and techniques.
Plan
and schedule daily tasks of lab technicians.
Coordinate
maintenance of laboratory instrumentation; manage chemical
inventories and ordering of supplies and services.
Data
collection and recording, statistical analyses, graphing.
Maintain
annual budget for lab covering expenses and capital expenditures.
Special
Requirements:
Education and experience:
Masters
or PhD in Postharvest Biology, Horticulture, Agriculture, Biology
or Chemistry with lab experience.
At
least 3-5 years working in food industry. Desire would be fresh
produce.
Specific
experience in a postharvest or fruit/vegetable quality assessment
is desirable as is specific experience in managing a lab.
Knowledge, skills and abilities:
Strict
dedication to developing and following methods and protocols in
order to execute conclusive experimental results
Scientific
curiosity
Must
be able to cultivate a high functioning team and work as part of
that team
Must
be able to work quickly, obtain conclusive results and move on to
next experiment
Must
be observant and attentive to detail to allow early corrections to
analyses and troubleshooting of potential problems
Must
be able to manage personnel and workflow
Strong
communication skills is essential especially the ability to give
clear directions on technical issues and to write technical
procedures and reports
Maintain
equipment and facilities
Standard
Microsoft software such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint
Bias
for action and 'can do' attitude,
Basic
understanding of statistical analyses is required.
Compensation:
Salary: $90,000-$140,000, Annual Bonus, Medical, Dental and Vision
Benefits, 401K, Stock Options, Vacation and Relocation Assistance.
