Career Advice & Resources

The Alternative Protein industry is a rapidly growing field with a diverse range of skills in high demand. The specific skills required depend on various factors, such as the stage of the start-up (e.g., pre-seed/early-stage vs a new Alternative Protein branch in an established corporation), the technology used (plant-based, fermentation, cellular agriculture, hybrid), and the go-to-market strategy. For instance, an early-stage clean meat start-up will seek research and development roles, such as Chief Scientific Officer or Senior Scientist, while a more mature company is likely to look for a B2B sales executive to expand into new markets.

Some of the most important skills include:

• Knowledge of biology, chemistry, and biochemistry: Working with Alternative Protein products requires a strong foundation in scientific knowledge and hard skills, as well as a deep understanding of complex processes. It is essential to have a thorough understanding of biology, chemistry, and biochemistry in order to successfully develop and work with these products, which may be derived from various biological sources such as plants and microbes.

• Engineering and manufacturing expertise: Alternative Protein products are typically produced using novel technologies, so expertise in engineering and manufacturing is important for ensuring that these products are made efficiently and to high standards.

• Food science and nutrition: Alternative Protein products must meet the same safety and quality standards as traditional protein sources, so knowledge of food science and nutrition is important for developing and producing these products.

• Marketing and sales: As the Alternative Protein industry grows, there is an increasing need for individuals with expertise in marketing and sales to help promote and sell these products to consumers or retail partners.

• Business development and strategy: The Alternative Protein industry is a rapidly changing and competitive field, so business development and strategic thinking skills are important for helping companies navigate this environment and succeed.

There are many companies that are hiring in the Alternative Protein industry, and the list of companies is constantly evolving as the industry grows and changes. The hiring needs and practices vary, though:

Early-stage start-ups initially hire their management team and a small number of key roles, such as the Chief Scientific Officer, often through the efforts of the co-founders themselves.

When a start-up is closing a Series A or B funding round, they usually look to rapidly expand their team and hire dozens of positions at once. This is a good opportunity to keep an eye out for potential openings.

Mature start-ups and larger corporations have more structured hiring processes, often utilizing their own human resources departments or external recruiters.

Our team at Tälist has been developing a job board that will be our go-to resource for finding the perfect role for you. We'll be adding more companies and positions as they become available. If you’d like to see the beta testing version of our job board (not launched yet!), please find it here.

If you have any feedback, email info@talist.org. Be part of the solution of making Alternative Protein jobs more accessible to everyone!

There are two organizations providing lists of Alternative Protein companies:

The Good Food Institute

Protein Directory

The availability of on-site, hybrid, and remote work in the Alternative Protein industry varies depending on the specific company and position. Some roles, particularly within research and development or manufacturing and production, require strict on-site work (at least most of the time), while others are able to be performed remotely or require working from locations other than the company's headquarters. For example, some roles in sales require working in a specific region. In addition, the company culture and willingness to enable hybrid or remote work also play a role in the availability of these flexible work arrangements. It is worth considering negotiating these terms if they are important to you.

We're excited to share a curated list of resources for members of our platform. This list provides relevant newsletters, magazines, company databases, conference lists, and more for those interested in jobs in sustainability and the environment.

Join our community, “The Alternative Protein Industry — Jobs, Careers & Opportunities”, on LinkedIn our attend one of our monthly virtual events to ask any of your open questions.