As a Head of Food Science & Innovation, you will lead our Food Science team and play a key role in Verley’s transition from R&D to commercialization. As part of the R&D department, reporting to the CSO, you will ensure our protein meets functional and application requirements, bridging the gap between scientific development, industrial use, and commercial success. You will work closely with the Business Development team to translate scientific insights into market-ready solutions that align with customer needs and industry expectations.

Key responsibilities:

Protein Functionality & Application Development

• Oversee and execute research on the functional properties of Verley’s protein (solubility, texture, stability, interaction with other ingredients, etc.).

• Define and perform methodologies in the laboratory, and set KPI’s to assess and optimize protein performance in food matrices.

• Lead the development of food prototypes incorporating our protein to demonstrate its application potential.

• Ensure compliance with food industry regulations and quality standards for alternative proteins.

Cross-functional Collaboration & Sales Strategic Alignment

• Collaborate closely with R&D Analytics and Bioprocess teams to align research with industrial needs.

• Work with Sales to translate scientific insights into market-ready solutions that align with customer and industry expectations.

• Supervise external collaborations with academic labs, research institutes, and industry partners.

Team Leadership & Development

• Develop & lead innovation and applied food technology that supports Verley’s growth strategy and market positioning.

• Manage and develop the Food Science team, ensuring skill progression and goal achievement.

• Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or a related field.

• 10+ years of international experience in food product development and project management, ingredient characterization, or protein functionality research.

• Expertise in food ingredient design, protein interactions, dairy food science, and analytical techniques.

• Strong leadership skills, with experience in managing R&D teams and multidisciplinary projects.

• Project management

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for sustainable food innovation.

• Knowledge in human nutrition

• Fluent English, both written and spoken.

What we offer:

• An innovative environment, where scientific excellence and curiosity drive cutting-edge developments in food science.

• An entrepreneurial culture, where each team member has the opportunity to make a real difference and directly contribute to the company’s growth.

• A global mindset, with a diverse team of experts from around the world, combining unique perspectives to tackle complex challenges.

• A shared commitment, where we all share in Verley’s success and growth through our employee stock option plan (BSPCE).v