Head of R&D – Umaro Foods

Location: Berkeley, CA with Occasional Travel to Facilities and Partners

Overview: As the Head of R&D, you’ll oversee all aspects of research and development at Umaro Foods, guiding projects from inception to commercialization. This is an early, hands-on leadership position within a small but passionate team, offering the unique opportunity to combine strategic vision with day-to-day involvement in critical R&D activities. You’ll play a pivotal role in advancing our core technologies, including the bio-refinement and upgrading of seaweed feedstocks, and scaling innovative solutions for commercialization.

In addition to leading technical efforts, you’ll act as a thought partner to company leadership, helping shape the strategic direction of the business. Your expertise will also be instrumental in fundraising initiatives, including writing funding proposals.

Roles/Responsibilities: 

• Lead and expand the R&D team, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.
• Oversee the execution of two large DOE-funded projects, ensuring milestones are met on time and within budget.
• Provide strategic oversight and support scale-up of Umaro’s plant-based bacon from product and process optimization to commercial production.
• Coordinate and guide the end-to-end protein and alginate extraction processes from brown seaweeds, advancing bench-scale research to pilot and commercial stages.
• Develop and execute strategies for advancing alginate extraction and polymer chemistry applications.
• Drive the patent process, from invention disclosures to securing intellectual property rights.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including production, engineering, and external stakeholders, to bridge R&D with business goals.
• Support the company’s fundraising efforts.
• Identify opportunities for new product innovation and technical advancements to create value for the company and its investors.
• Represent Umaro Foods as a scientific and technical leader in external engagements.

Qualifications:

Experience: 10+ years in R&D leadership roles within chemical engineering, polymer chemistry, or related fields. Food or bioprocessing experience is a strong plus.

Technical Skills:

• Expertise in chemical process development, biomass refinement process development, polymer chemistry, and scale-up.
• Experience with bioprocess engineering or food product development.
• Strong knowledge of patent strategy and IP management.

Leadership: A proven ability to build, manage, and inspire teams.

Collaboration: Exceptional interpersonal skills to work effectively with internal teams, investors, and partners.

Strategic Vision: Ability to align R&D efforts with business objectives and drive commercialization.

Entrepreneurial Spirit: A self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Fundraising & Communication: Demonstrated experience in writing grants and collaborating on venture capital fundraising.

Application Instructions: If you’re ready to lead groundbreaking research and bring transformative products to market, we’d love to hear from you. Submit your resume and a cover letter explaining your qualifications and vision for the role to [email protected].