VP, Engineering

Meati Foods is a fast-growing, innovative food company changing the way you eat, one bite at a time.  We believe food should be simple, clean, and of course, delicious and that is why we do everything ourselves, from growing and nurturing our mushroom root main ingredient, to creating our nutrient-rich, sustainable, whole-cut products that are manufactured in-house in our state-of-the-art facilities.  We are now looking for our Vice President of Engineering to lead and inspire the team bringing up and developing our commercial manufacturing facilities, making this Good Energy™ available to everyone.  

As the VP of Engineering, you are passionate about leading a high-functioning team dedicated to capital projects, building new manufacturing facilities, and seeing your team’s work come to life in the real world.  Not only are you driven by the mission of bringing a new food source to people and impacting climate change, but you are an empathetic and authentic leader who values input and provides larger company context while genuinely demonstrating the best interest of each person on the team.  You are an honest collaborator who thrives on sharing their knowledge and an excellent communicator who can work effectively with all.  

You will have an amazing opportunity to work on a leadership team comprised of some of the best and most experienced in the industry while experiencing the excitement and rewards of a growing start-up that is solving unique challenges for a first-to-market product.

In this role you will...

• Report to the Chief Supply Chain Officer and provide strategic oversight of capital projects related to designing, building, installing, commissioning, and stabilizing large food manufacturing facilities.  
• You will identify risks, understand gaps, develop solutions, and strategically oversee project execution.  
• Utilize your experience in food processing, design, construction, and facilities to provide guidance, oversight and accountability to external partners, project timelines, and budgets.  
• Prepare project plans for equipment or facility improvements, including timelines, budgetary estimates, and capital spending requests.  
• Provide transformational leadership for the engineering team including career development, goal setting, and mentorship.  Design, identify and assign work to team members based on strengths and developmental opportunities.  
• Establish long-term department goals, policies, and operating guidelines and procedures.  
• Explore and implement technologies to apply to the manufacturing process delivering value, cost-savings, and increased performance.  
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Process Sciences, Pilot Plant, Food Sciences and Product Development, Quality, Manufacturing, Finance, Human Resources, and Legal teams.  

What you bring  

• You have a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Biological Sciences Engineering and 8+ years of strategic engineering leadership experience with engineering organizations in a cross-functional environment.
• 7+ years experience developing and executing large scale food production capital projects including leading projects end-to-end.
• Strong understanding of design principles and construction/project management practices, means and methods of construction, regulations, and policy to effectively analyze issues and direct sound decisions.  
• Demonstrated knowledge of sanitary design of equipment in 24/7 commercial scale manufacturing facilities.  Experience with utilities system – high pressure steam systems, RO, compressed air, ammonia, refrigeration, and wastewater treatment.
• Experience and understanding of process controls & automation, distributed control systems, SCADA, and PLC integration.
• Experience with Sanitary 3-A, and FDA food processing as well as HAACP, OSHA, and other norms for food production.
• Strong change management skills.

Additional Information & Requirements:

This is a full-time regular position based out of our Mega Ranch facility in Thornton, CO, with travel to headquarters in Boulder, CO and other Meati manufacturing sites.   Meati may agree to provide assistance to those relocating for this role.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required.  Meati may agree to sponsor an individual for an employment visa now or in the future if there is a shortage of individuals with required skills for this job.  

Targeted pay range $200K - $230K+ base with added 50% bonus/variable compensation.  

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance at no cost to the employee (for employee-only coverage)
• 401K with company match
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and Floating Holidays
• Monthly reimbursements for personal health and wellness expenses
• Mental health programs at no cost
• Parental Leave, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability coverage, and AD&D

Equal Employment Opportunity: Eat Meati™ is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Successful applicants for this position must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Vaccine verification will be required prior to the start of employment at Eat Meati™.

About Eat Meati™

Based in Boulder, Colorado, Eat Meati™ is on a mission to build Good Energy™ from the ground up. We work closely with Mother Nature to cultivate the complete protein she intended — one that’s been the root of our living world for millennia. We’re connecting and empowering eaters everywhere to evolve energetically. We believe food should be simple, clean, and of course, delicious, which is why grow and nourish our mushroom root to create nutrient-rich, whole food protein everyone can enjoy. Get to know more about Meati™ at meati.com.

Our team is passionate about making the world a better place through good health and wellness, positive climate impact, and equitable access to nutrition around the world. This passion translates into the culture of our office, making Eat Meati™ a lively, enjoyable, innovative, and inclusive place to work. This is an exciting time to be a part of the Meati™ team and the growing plant-based meat category..