Food Scientist

Food Scientist Opportunity

Oats Overnight is on a mission to build a generational CPG brand. Since 2016, our high-protein, drinkable oatmeal has reached over a million customers through direct-to-consumer, and we're now scaling with all major nationwide retail and club partners. Our goal: become a household brand by leveraging speed, storytelling, and strategy.

We are vertically integrated: we develop, manufacture, and fulfill everything in-house. This operational control allows us to engage customers directly into the R&D process, an initiative where we were first-to-market in CPG. It also makes our brand tangible and real: our factory, our team, and our product pipeline are all part of the narrative.

This is an exciting stage - we are emerging as a significant omni-channel brand and launching new products to capture significant market share across verticals. We want you to help us get there.

Every teammate here has equity because we're building something big, and everyone plays an important role. If you're excited about building a brand that does things differently, this is that opportunity.

We are seeking a Food Scientist with a passion for new ingredient qualification, current ingredient optimization, and new product innovation. This role plays a pivotal part in enhancing ingredient functionality, improving product formulations, and supporting new concept development from ideation through commercialization. You will work hands-on with next-generation ingredient solutions, enhance product nutrition, and support the rapid development of oat-based, high-protein coffee products, along with new product platforms still in concept development.

This is a full-time, exempt, onsite role based in Arizona.

Ingredient Qualification & Optimization

• Evaluate and qualify new ingredients based on functionality, sensory impact, nutritional value, and processing compatibility.
• Assess and optimize current ingredients to enhance product quality, shelf life, and cost efficiency.
• Develop data-driven ingredient specifications and collaborate with suppliers to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Analyze ingredient interactions and conduct experimental research to enhance formulation performance.

Product Development & Innovation

• Support the development of new product concepts by testing novel ingredient applications.
• Design and execute Design of Experiments (DOE) to systematically evaluate and optimize formulations.
• Partner cross-functionally with R&D, Quality, and Manufacturing to scale formulas from bench to full-scale production.
• Utilize analytical chemistry techniques to assess ingredient stability, interactions, and performance.
• Contribute to clean-label innovation, incorporating functional, sustainable, and consumer-preferred ingredients.

Process & Quality Improvements

• Develop process optimizations that improve ingredient incorporation, product consistency, and overall efficiency.
• Conduct shelf-life and sensory studies to validate product performance over time.
• Implement analytical testing protocols to ensure ingredient and finished product compliance with regulatory and quality standards.
• This role is responsible for collaboration with other departments to identify and address food safety risks throughout the production process with other food safety team members.
• This role is responsible for product quality & food safety and for maintaining hygiene conditions in the plant.
• Ensures and promotes food safety throughout the facility.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

What You've Done and Who You Are

• 2+ years of experience in ingredient development, ingredient application, or formulation optimization.
• Bachelor of Science in Food Science, Chemistry, Nutrition, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with analytical chemistry for ingredient and product evaluation.
• Proficiency in DOE (Design of Experiments) and statistical analysis to interpret experimental data and improve formulations.
• Familiarity with ingredient sourcing, regulatory compliance, FDA regulations, and product labeling requirements.
• Experience applying project management principles to drive timelines and cross-functional execution.
• Highly acute sense of taste and smell.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong understanding of food industry standards for quality and food safety.
• Experience with plant-based ingredients, high-protein formulations, or functional food components preferred.
• Knowledge of sensory analysis, hydrocolloids, emulsifiers, and enzyme-modified ingredient applications preferred.
• Familiarity with Genesis or other formulation software for nutritional calculations preferred.
• Someone that can partner and influence at all different levels.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and navigate in a fast moving environment.
• A relentless drive to get things done.
• Flexible, willing, and quick to learn new processes, new technology, and new ways of thinking.

Why You Might Like Working Here

• This is going to be fun.
• Casual, friendly culture. We're serious about what we do but we don't take ourselves too seriously.
• Every employee has equity.
• High growth potential with opportunities to expand.
• Free oatmeal. It's very good.

Why You Might Not Like Working Here

• It's not a cushy job, the bar is high.
• We are growing quickly, and have a fast-paced work environment.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to work near food ingredients, exposure to food allergens.
• Must be able to lift up to 15-25 pounds at times.
• Location: inside an air-conditioned manufacturing and warehouse environment.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• You must be able to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.
• You must be able to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.

The Perks

• Full Benefits; Medical, Dental, Vision and 401k.
• Parental Leave.
• 4 Weeks of paid time off.
• Weekly Pay.
• Stock options, every employee is an owner.
• Free, delicious oatmeal.

We value people who roll up their sleeves and support their fellow team members. We embrace diversity and encourage equal opportunity every chance we get, and we look forward to learning from people whose backgrounds, skills, and perspectives challenge and enrich our own.

Oats Overnight provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Oats Overnight complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.