Senior Innovation Scientist

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.

What’s The Job?

We are looking for a Senior Food Scientist – Innovation to provide technical expertise and lead the development and review of formulations for current and future products. This role will collaborate with cross-functional teams to create new products from concept to commercialization. The Sr. Food Scientist will evolve and improve nutritional quality, flavor, and texture of our current and future food products, and will help the company stay at the forefront of new developments and product innovations.

To be successful, this person will interpret and apply scientific methodologies to develop new, great-tasting food formulations, translate consumer insights into innovative product opportunities, and align business objectives with clear project goals. The ideal candidate will be a team player who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and enjoys mentoring and collaborating with others.

What You’ll Be Doing, Stop Scanning and Read This Part

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of new product platforms with a focus on RTM (ready-to-mix) applications.
• Apply advanced design of experiments (DOE) methodologies to evaluate ingredient performance, interactions, and consumer impact.
• Drive ingredient functionality innovation, leveraging emerging technologies, novel proteins, fibers, flavors, and natural sweetener systems.
• Partner with sourcing, operations, and suppliers to identify and qualify new ingredients and technologies that expand product opportunities.
• Lead scale-up readiness efforts, partnering with operations and manufacturing to ensure seamless transition from bench to pilot to plant.
• Champion value-engineering by identifying opportunities for cost reduction, process simplification, and ingredient efficiency while protecting taste, nutrition, and quality.
• Translate sensory and analytical data into actionable insights to drive continuous improvement.
• Deliver high-level technical presentations that communicate complex scientific results, opportunities, and risks to stakeholders across R&D, operations, and leadership.
• Mentor junior scientists in experimental design, technical problem solving, and innovation best practices.
• Stay current on trends, technologies, and emerging science to anticipate and shape future product platforms.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

What You’ve Done And Who You Are

• Experience: Minimum 5+ years in the food industry focusing on product development or applications science (RTM or beverage powder product experience strongly preferred). 7+ years preferred for highly technical or leadership-focused roles.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline. Master’s or Ph.D. preferred.
• Proven expertise in ingredient functionality across proteins, fibers, flavors, and sweetener systems.
• Experience in flavor development and application, especially in complex powder and RTM systems.
• Proficiency with DOE methodologies and data-driven product development.
• Strong knowledge of ingredient sourcing, supplier engagement, and qualification processes.
• Hands-on experience with scale-up readiness, pilot testing, and commercialization.
• Knowledge of sensory evaluation and ability to interpret sensory data for actionable insights.
• Familiarity with formulation software (Genesis preferred).
• Excellent project management, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong sensory acuity with highly developed taste and smell perception.
• Understanding of food safety, quality standards, and FDA regulatory requirements.
• Experience mentoring or leading teams is a plus.
• 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.
• You have the freedom to leverage your own creativity and have a voice.
• 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

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to work near food ingredients with potential exposure to food allergens.
• Location: inside an air-conditioned manufacturing and warehouse environment.
• 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

• Awesome work environment.
• Full Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision coverage, Life Insurance, and 401k.
• 4 Weeks PTO.
• Weekly Pay.
• Stock options — every employee is an owner.
• Free, delicious oatmeal.
  
  

And Last But Never Least…

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.