What are the responsibilities and job description for the CPG R&D Unicorns, in person + Remote Contractors position at Chew?
Company Description Chew is a food innovation lab that partners with brands of all sizes to create breakthrough packaged foods that are delicious, highly nutritious, profitable, sustainable, and scalable. The team combines the expertise of chefs, food scientists, and manufacturing specialists to rapidly turn initial ideas into market-ready products in days or weeks. Chew is committed to never compromising on nutrition, taste, or sustainability while advancing modern manufacturing practices. Guided by a mission to offer consumers better choices in every grocery aisle, Chew continuously pushes the boundaries of what is possible in consumer packaged goods. To learn more, visit www.chewinnovation.com.
Role Description The role is a full-time, on-site position based in Boston, MA, focused on inventing and developing next-generation packaged food products. Day-to-day responsibilities include designing and executing R&D experiments, conducting ingredient and formulation research, and performing benchtop and pilot-scale trials in the lab and test kitchen. This role collaborates closely with chefs, food scientists, and operations teams to optimize product quality, nutrition, taste, shelf life, and manufacturability. The position involves analyzing experimental data, documenting protocols and results, presenting findings to internal teams and partners, and iterating rapidly based on feedback. The role also supports commercialization efforts, including scaling formulations, working with manufacturing partners, and contributing to innovative, sustainable product pipelines.
Qualifications
- Strong Research and Development (R&D) experience in food, CPG, or related scientific fields, with the ability to drive projects from concept to prototype.
- Excellent Analytical Skills and data-driven problem-solving capabilities to interpret experimental results and make sound technical decisions.
- Effective Communication skills, including clear documentation, cross-functional collaboration, and presenting complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders.
- Hands-on Laboratory Skills and Research experience, including formulation work, experimental design, and familiarity with food science lab tools and processes.
- Background in food science, chemistry, nutrition, chemical engineering, or a related discipline; bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.
- Experience in CPG product development, pilot plant trials, and scale-up to manufacturing is highly beneficial.
- Knowledge of food safety standards, regulatory considerations, and quality assurance practices in the food industry.
- Demonstrated creativity, curiosity, and comfort with rapid prototyping in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.
- Ability to work on-site in Boston, MA, and collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team setting.