Vice President of Research and Development

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.

What’s The Job?

The Vice President of Research & Development will lead Oats Overnight’s innovation strategy, overseeing the development of new products from concept to launch. This role owns the R&D roadmap and aligns it with consumer trends, brand growth priorities, and operational feasibility. The VP will guide the R&D team in developing cutting-edge formulations, packaging innovation, and customer co-creation initiatives, all while maintaining speed to market and brand integrity.

This role requires relocation to Phoenix, Arizona.

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

• Own and lead the entire product innovation pipeline—from blue-sky concepting through commercialization.
• Build and lead a high-performance R&D team with capabilities in food science, sensory, packaging, and process innovation.
• Translate customer data, market trends, and internal insights into breakthrough innovation strategies.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Ops, and Supply Chain to align innovation priorities with go-to-market timelines and supply feasibility.
• Develop technical specifications, prototypes, and scalable formulations in collaboration with our in-house production team.
• Champion our customer-led R&D model, involving end-users in iterative testing and feedback.
• Stay current on regulatory standards, food labeling, allergens, and claims to ensure compliant product development.
• Lead cross-functional commercialization processes for new products, ensuring flawless execution at launch.

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• Introduce new tools, processes, and tech to modernize and accelerate innovation cycles.
  
  

What You’ve Done And Who You Are

• 15+ years of experience in food & beverage R&D, ideally in CPG/startup environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific or technical field required; advanced degree preferred
• Strong background in food science and product development with deep technical knowledge of nutrition, ingredients, and functional foods.
• Demonstrated ability to lead end-to-end innovation from concept to shelf.
• Experience building and leading high-performing teams, with a focus on mentorship and collaboration.
• Passion for translating consumer insights into craveable, scalable products
• A balance of strategic vision and hands-on execution—you get excited about prototyping and building
• Familiarity with co-manufacturing, in-house production, and pilot plant environments.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• 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.
  
  

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Why You Might Like Working Here

• 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.
  
  

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

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• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to work near food ingredients; exposure to food allergens.
• 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

• Full Benefits; Medical, Dental, Vision coverage, life insurance, 401k
• Generous 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.