We are currently looking for our next Sensory Manager to join our team and take the reins of our Applications team to continue creating innovative solutions based on our functional ingredient: MASK, aligned with our business strategy and mission.

What we do:

microTERRA is leading innovation in sustainable ingredients by harnessing the purifying power of Lemna. This aquatic plant has the unique ability to clean water while producing valuable functional ingredients such as MASK. MASK is a natural liquid extract that masks the aftertaste of sweeteners, plant based proteins, amino acids, caffeine, and more.

MASK is one of many ingredients to come, as microTERRA is a platform that develops functional ingredients sustainably.

What you will be working on

Food & Beverage Application R&D

• Lead the food product application area to validate the functionality and potential of our ingredients in finished product applications (liquid sweeteners, plant-based beverages, protein drinks etc.).
• Create a classification methodology to measure and classify the quality and performance of our ingredient at sensory level (sensory testing, sensory panel, QDA, ranking table etc.) within finished products.
• Lead internal tastings (feedback collection, conclusions, etc.).
• Prepare reports with sensory conclusions of MASK performance within applications.
• Support the (re)formulation of final products for customers who want to mask off notes together with the team in the lab and external consultants (based on sensory results).
• Explore the potential of our ingredients in various product categories.

Business Development Collaboration

• Work directly with our business development leader to establish plans and priorities based on established projects such as co-developments and ongoing pilots with large corporations.
• Participate in meetings and calls with potential customers (e.g. small business, corporate, etc.) to assist them with sensory, technical and application related queries.
• Understand our customers' requirements to generate appropriate and robust food and beverage solutions.

Management

• Lead and manage a team of 1 or 2 people (dedicated in applications).
• Definition of OKR's of the department, prioritizing those that lead to the fulfillment of the main objectives of the company.
• Weekly update of OKR's and communication to the team and Managers of their evolution.
• Monthly update of the KPI's of the department.
• Management and administration of the area's budget.
• Review and follow-up of the work plans of each team member within the applications, checking that the activities are aligned with the company's priorities.
• Provide continuous feedback to the work team to support and guide them to improve and grow professionally.
• Preparation of weekly 1:1's.
• Follow up on the needs of the team; be it communication, clarity as well as material and work equipment.

What you bring to the table:

• Minimum of 7 years of experience, ideally with 2+ years of senior management experience.
• Experience with various sensory evaluation methods, including degree of difference testing methods, triangular testing, sensory panel, QDA, etc.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and experience in a startup or scale-up. Interest in being part of a dynamic and fast-growing team.
• Ability to manage budgets.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Leadership experience with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to manage multiple teams and projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in English at a business level.
• Participation in innovation-related teams, preferably.
• Passion for environmental impact and social entrepreneurship.
• Proactive personality that seeks as if
• Practical approach.
• Ability to work independently and take responsibility for projects and tasks.

Our team

• Focused on results, eager to succeed and achieve high performance.
• Naturally curious and proactive, true team players and looking for collective opportunities to create something big in terms of impact.
• Passionate about developing sustainable innovation to transform our food system.

What we offer:

• Join a passionate team committed to solving the water crisis by developing innovative circular solutions to treat agricultural wastewater.
• Working days: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm.
• Work location: On-site at our offices in CDMX.
• Work culture: an inclusive and international environment, designed to allow each team member to grow and achieve ambitious goals while respecting their personal work/life balance.
• Compensation: competitive salary and negotiable stock options based on experience and credentials.
• Benefits: Contract through Ontop + SOFIA medical insurance.

You will not love working with us if

• You have a hard time tolerating uncertainty and prefer having everything very well defined, including your job and career
• Prefer working in a corporate environment (bureaucracy, processes, rules, etc.)
• Do not like going above and beyond the call of duty
• Thrive by micromanaging or being micromanaged
• Looking to work a strict 9-5 schedule
• Are in it for the short term

How to apply?

1️⃣ Send us your application via our application form: https://forms.gle/3yuyHeJSiTcG82fa8

2️⃣ Get to know each other (30min video call with our Head of HR and one of our department heads): What kind of job are you looking for? What is the role we are looking to fill?

3️⃣ Technical trial: We like to understand your way of thinking through a little case study (either written or in-person).

4️⃣ Deep dive on the role (30min video call with our founder and CEO): What does a successful working relationship look like to you? How can we build something great together?

5️⃣ Final decision-making meeting: Let's make it work!