OVERVIEW
Position
Director, Novel Foods
Job Code
Reports to
Executive Director, Topian
Direct Reports
Division/Section
Department
Sector
Topian
Job Family
Role Purpose
The Director, Novel Foods will be responsible for the development of infrastructure, policies, and commercial partnerships to support the creation of a commercially viable manufacturing and innovation ecosystem for Novel Foods. This ecosystem will focus on plant-based meat and dairy products, cell-based foods fermentation products, cultured meat) as well as natural ingredients. The role will involve leading a team of food scientists and other professionals, as well as partnering with Topian’s commercial, legal, and financial leadership team. An ability to integrate infrastructure and asset development with commercial ambitions to build an advantaged position for Topian’s Novel Foods program will be essential.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & ACTIVITIES
Key Activities
NEOM aims at providing opportunities for people to live healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives, while sustainably using the natural resources upon which they depend. NEOM partners with governments, local and international businesses, and knowledge institutes to transform ideas into policy, policy into action, and action into impact. NEOM uses its technical knowledge and experience, passionate staff, local presence, and global influence to make a lasting difference in people’s livability, especially in desert-like conditions in a world facing climate change.
As part of this vision, the Topian Novel Foods Business Unit is creating world-class innovation and manufacturing alternative protein ecosystem. This ecosystem will be based on i) designing and building the infrastructure and assets required to support food manufacturing at NEOM, ii) establishing partnerships with leading companies in plant-based meat, plant-based dairy, biomass fermentation, precision fermentation, cultured meat, and natural ingredients, and iii) developing business cases and commercial strategies to develop Topian-branded Novel Foods as KSA market-leaders in target alternative protein categories.
The Director, Novel Foods, will be responsible for implementing a technical and commercial business program that will enable the success of Topian’s alternative protein vision.
Responsibilities will include:
BACKGROUND, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
15-20 years of experience in business development in the food and beverage industry including experience leading diverse multi-disciplinary teams.
Demonstrated knowledge of the plant-based and alternative protein industries encompassing mid, large conglomerates, SMEs, venture arms and start-ups.
Demonstrated knowledge of food manufacturing processes, encompassing plant-based, fermentation, and cultured meat technologies, and an ability to engage with infrastructure and asset developers to enable construction of state-of-the-art innovation and large-scale production facilities.
Familiarity with CDMO and CMO operating models in the food and/or related industries.
Proven ability to attract potential partners through effective marketing and sales strategies. Skilled in delivering persuasive presentations that articulate the business value of partnerships to diverse stakeholders, including multinational corporations, SMEs, and investors.
Experience in commercial development of new products including familiarity with market dynamics, sales strategies, investment profiles, and intellectual property considerations.
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