What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Food Scientist position at Oats Overnight?
A Little About Us
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 not accepting candidates from third-party recruiters or agencies for this role — direct applicants only.
Our Core Values
At Oats Overnight, how we work matters just as much as what we accomplish. Our core values guide how we make decisions, lead teams, and build our business every day.
Ownership
We are all owners. We show up with passion and accountability in everything we do. If something’s broken, fix it or call it out.
Rational
How we decide matters. We focus on what we can control and make high-quality decisions repeatedly.
Iterative
We challenge the status quo and improve constantly. When data or situations change, we adapt.
Curiosity
We ask questions, even when it’s uncomfortable. Learning and leading go hand in hand.
What’s The Job?
We’re looking for an Associate Food Scientist to join our R&D team and grow into a full-fledged Food Scientist through hands-on experience and mentorship. This role is designed as an apprenticeship-style position where you’ll work closely with our Food Scientists and Sr. Food Scientist to support ingredient research, product development, and lab execution.
You’ll get your hands dirty (literally)—running bench trials, prepping samples, managing lab workflows—while also learning the “why” behind formulation, ingredient functionality, and commercialization.
This is a full-time, exempt, onsite role based in Arizona.
What You’ll Be Doing, Stop Scanning and Read This Part
Product Development & Formulation Support
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.
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 not accepting candidates from third-party recruiters or agencies for this role — direct applicants only.
Our Core Values
At Oats Overnight, how we work matters just as much as what we accomplish. Our core values guide how we make decisions, lead teams, and build our business every day.
Ownership
We are all owners. We show up with passion and accountability in everything we do. If something’s broken, fix it or call it out.
Rational
How we decide matters. We focus on what we can control and make high-quality decisions repeatedly.
Iterative
We challenge the status quo and improve constantly. When data or situations change, we adapt.
Curiosity
We ask questions, even when it’s uncomfortable. Learning and leading go hand in hand.
What’s The Job?
We’re looking for an Associate Food Scientist to join our R&D team and grow into a full-fledged Food Scientist through hands-on experience and mentorship. This role is designed as an apprenticeship-style position where you’ll work closely with our Food Scientists and Sr. Food Scientist to support ingredient research, product development, and lab execution.
You’ll get your hands dirty (literally)—running bench trials, prepping samples, managing lab workflows—while also learning the “why” behind formulation, ingredient functionality, and commercialization.
This is a full-time, exempt, onsite role based in Arizona.
What You’ll Be Doing, Stop Scanning and Read This Part
Product Development & Formulation Support
- Assist in the development and optimization of formulations for oat-based, high-protein beverage products and new platforms in development
- Execute bench-top trials, sample prep, and iterative formulation work under guidance from Food Scientists
- Support Design of Experiments (DOE) by preparing samples, tracking variables, and documenting results
- Record detailed observations on texture, taste, stability, and performance
- Support qualification of new ingredients by assisting with testing for functionality, sensory impact, and stability
- Conduct basic analytical and sensory evaluations to support formulation decisions
- Assist in maintaining ingredient specs, documentation, and supplier communication data
- Prepare, organize, and execute lab work including batching, mixing, and sample processing
- Support pilot plant trials including batching, setup, coordination, and post-run evaluation
- Maintain lab equipment, logs, and calibration schedules in alignment with SOPs
- Ensure lab organization, cleanliness, and GMP compliance
- Maintain accurate lab notebooks and experimental records
- Assist in summarizing trial results and contributing to technical reports
- Partner cross-functionally with R&D, QA, and Operations to support product scale-up
- Help manage lab inventory, ingredients, and materials
- Follow and support food safety, quality, and GMP standards
- Assist in shelf-life testing and product quality evaluations
- Maintain hygienic lab and pilot plant conditions and support overall food safety initiatives
- 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
- 0–2 years of experience in food R&D, product development, or lab environment (internship experience acceptable)
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Nutrition, or related field
- 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
- 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
- It’s not a cushy job, the bar is high
- We are growing quickly, and have a fast-paced work environment
- 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
- 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.