HR Business Partner, R&D

About us

At the forefront of farming and food, UPSIDE Foods is innovating new ways to produce real meat, without the need to breed, feed and slaughter animals. Our process begins with an animal cell, which is cultivated and harvested as meat. UPSIDE Foods is a mission-driven company focused on bringing to meat lovers an authentic product that is truly humane, sustainably produced, nutritious and delicious! We are now expanding our team of dedicated professionals across disciplines to make better meat for a better world.

About this job

We are seeking a Human Resources Business Partner with a research & development focus to ensure every member of the R&D team has a great work environment and experience. As the primary People partner to the R&D function, the HRBP will be responsible for overseeing both day-to-day needs as well as strategic initiatives.

This position has a strong relationship with the Directors and SVP of R&D and must be able to understand business issues and use data/insights to bring solutions that advance the greater interests of the business. 

Responsibilities include...

• Drive the company's values-based culture, change management, organizational development, and performance management approach within the R&D function
• Champion UPSIDE Foods initiatives, events, and processes which positively impact team engagement
• Provide your innovative ideas to ensure the most effective people management, relationship management, engagement, development, and communication techniques are in play –bring your new ideas and help us to optimize or scale existing processes!
• Assess team performance, development, and engagement needs, make recommendations, and implement appropriate solutions 
• Partner across R&D to embed People Ops policies, procedures, programs, and laws, and facilitate/coordinate compliance and development training
• Promote and embrace an exciting and inclusive environment where solving problems, continuous learning, and a high technical aptitude is the norm, not the exception 

About you...

• BA/BS or equivalent 
• 3+ years of HR experience within a scientific/technical business environment
• Technically sound in HR fundamentals, employment law, and best practices, plus the application of them within a scientific/technical business environment
• Demonstrates empathy, relationship building, and experience driving inclusion and belonging
• Demonstrates an understanding of the perspectives/motivators of team members with various backgrounds, including academic to industry-experienced individuals
• Experience in providing valuable coaching, guidance, facilitation, thought leadership, and HR business partnership in a very fast-paced environment
• Strong intellectual curiosity, problem-solving, and resourcefulness, with a bias for action
• Thrives and learns quickly within a constantly changing environment
• Believes People Ops serve to make life better for everyone, not harder :)

Who you’ll work with…

• This role will partner with core research and development functions in the company. It’s a rare opportunity to learn about this industry directly from the trailblazing research and development teams leading the field.
• While we expect growth in all functions in the next 1-2 years, this role will primarily interact with our research and development functions, as the main People Ops team representative.

Key Contributions in First Year…

• Build relationships within R&D  and partner with leadership team/R&D Chief of Staff to assess team culture and development needs
• Own and/or support roll-out of team development, culture, and performance optimization initiatives and programs
• Partner with HRBP team to build a strategic and programmatic roadmap

UPSIDE Benefits!

• Stock options for all full-time incoming team members!
• 100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for team members (medical, dental, vision)
• Unlimited PTO 
• DE&I (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) Council and People Engagement Programs
• Company-sponsored learning & development opportunities

UPSIDE Foods is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Our company-wide mission is to create a product for everyone, so we are deeply committed to having teams and leaders that reflect this mission.