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Alternative Protein Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Archer Daniels Midland

Manager, Protein Research - Decatur, IL We are seeking a highly skilled Protein Research Manager to ... This position reports to the Global R&D Director for Alternative Proteins within the Human ...

Cargill

Process Engineer

Breaux Bridge, LA · On-site

Our portfolio includes poultry, beef, egg, alternative protein, salt, oils, starches, sweeteners, cocoa and chocolate. Job Purpose and Impact The Process Engineer applies engineering techniques to ...

Cargill

Commodity Trading Associate

Wahpeton, ND

Our portfolio includes poultry, beef, egg, alternative protein, salt, oils, starches, sweeteners, cocoa and chocolate. Job Purpose and Impact The Commodity Trading Associate will participate in ...

Cargill

Commodity Trading Associate

Wahpeton, ND

Our portfolio includes poultry, beef, egg, alternative protein, salt, oils, starches, sweeteners, cocoa and chocolate. Job Purpose and Impact The Commodity Trading Associate will participate in ...

Cargill

Plant Product Lead

Camp Hill, PA · On-site

$18.50 - $25.50/hr

Our portfolio includes poultry, beef, egg, alternative protein, salt, oils, starches, sweeteners, cocoa and chocolate. Job Purpose and Impact The Plant Product Lead will focus on business priorities ...

Cargill

Process Engineer

Breaux Bridge, LA

Our portfolio includes poultry, beef, egg, alternative protein, salt, oils, starches, sweeteners, cocoa and chocolate. Job Purpose and Impact The Process Engineer applies engineering techniques to ...

Cargill

Bilingual Sales Account Manager

Manteca, CA · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

Our portfolio includes poultry, beef, egg, alternative protein, salt, oils, starches, sweeteners, cocoa and chocolate. Job Purpose and Impact The Bilingual Sales Account Manager will develop customer ...

Cargill

Plant Product Lead

Camp Hill, PA

Our portfolio includes poultry, beef, egg, alternative protein, salt, oils, starches, sweeteners, cocoa and chocolate. Job Purpose and Impact The Plant Product Lead will focus on business priorities ...

Cargill

Channel Account Manager

Milwaukee, WI

Our portfolio includes poultry, beef, egg, alternative protein, salt, oils, starches, sweeteners, cocoa and chocolate. Job Purpose and Impact The Channel Account Manager, will sell the company ...

ADM

Protein Research Manager - Decatur, IL

Decatur, IL

$92K - $171K/yr

Manager, Protein Research - Decatur, ILWe are seeking a highly skilled Protein Research Manager to ... This position reports to the Global R&D Director for Alternative Proteins within the Human ...

Cargill

Engineer Associate

Akron, OH

Our portfolio includes poultry, beef, egg, alternative protein, salt, oils, starches, sweeteners, cocoa and chocolate. Job Purpose and Impact The Engineer Associate will help optimize the ...

New

Cargill

Waste Water Technician

Hammond, IN · On-site

$18.50 - $25.50/hr

Our portfolio includes poultry, beef, egg, alternative protein, salt, oils, starches, sweeteners, cocoa and chocolate. Job Purpose and Impact The Waste Water Technician will be responsible for ...

Cargill

Payroll Administrative Assistant

Wyalusing, PA · On-site

$17.25 - $21.50/hr

Our portfolio includes poultry, beef, egg, alternative protein, salt, oils, starches, sweeteners, cocoa and chocolate. Job Purpose and Impact The Payroll Administrative Assistant will provide ...

Cargill

Senior Capital Project Engineer

Eddyville, IA

$94K - $123K/yr

Our portfolio includes poultry, beef, egg, alternative protein, salt, oils, starches, sweeteners, cocoa and chocolate. Job Purpose and Impact The Senior Capital Project Engineer will plan, support ...

Cargill

Slicing Supervisor-2nd Shift

Camp Hill, PA · On-site

$14.75 - $18.75/hr

Our portfolio includes poultry, beef, egg, alternative protein, salt, oils, starches, sweeteners, cocoa and chocolate. Job Purpose and Impact The Slicing Supervisor will provide strategic operational ...

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All JobsAlternative Protein Jobs

Alternative Protein information

What are some alternative career options?

For those interested in alternative protein, career options include roles in research and development, product development, quality assurance, and sustainability analysis within food companies. Skills in food science, biotechnology, and project management are often valuable, and certifications in food safety or regulatory compliance can enhance job prospects.

What is an Alternative Protein job?

An Alternative Protein job focuses on developing, producing, and commercializing protein sources that serve as sustainable alternatives to traditional animal-based proteins. This can include plant-based proteins, cultivated meat, fermentation-derived proteins, and other emerging technologies. Roles in this field span research and development, food science, bioprocessing, product management, and marketing. Professionals work to improve taste, texture, nutrition, and scalability of alternative protein products to meet consumer demand and environmental goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Alternative Protein position, and why are they important?

To thrive in an Alternative Protein role, you generally need a background in food science, biotechnology, or a related life sciences field, along with experience in research and product development. Familiarity with laboratory techniques, analytical instrumentation, and food safety regulations, as well as certifications in quality assurance or HACCP, are commonly used in this industry. Strong problem-solving, collaboration, and project management skills help individuals excel when working with interdisciplinary teams to innovate new protein alternatives. These competencies are crucial for meeting industry demands, ensuring product safety and quality, and driving successful product launches in a rapidly evolving sector.

What are examples of alternative proteins?

Alternative proteins include plant-based options like soy, pea, and wheat proteins, as well as lab-grown or cultured meat, insect-based proteins, and fungi such as mycelium. These alternatives are used in food product development to provide sustainable and ethical protein sources. Knowledge of food science and nutrition is beneficial for professionals working in this field.

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

In the field of alternative protein, executive roles such as Chief Scientific Officer, Chief Operating Officer, or Vice President of R&D can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially in large companies or startups with significant funding. These positions typically require advanced degrees, extensive industry experience, and leadership skills, often combined with stock options or bonuses that contribute to total compensation.

What are the typical responsibilities of someone working in an Alternative Protein position?

Professionals in an Alternative Protein role are usually responsible for conducting research and development of new protein sources, optimizing production processes, and ensuring compliance with food safety standards. Daily tasks may include designing experiments, running product trials, analyzing nutritional data, and collaborating closely with engineers, marketers, and regulatory teams. They also play a key role in scaling up laboratory concepts for commercial production and troubleshooting process challenges as they arise. This hands-on, cross-functional work environment provides ample opportunities for skill-building and career growth within the sustainable food industry.

What is the highest paying ecology job?

In the field of ecology, senior roles such as Environmental Directors or Chief Ecologists tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures annually. These positions typically require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and strong leadership skills, and may involve overseeing large projects or organizations in environmental consulting, conservation, or research.
More about Alternative Protein jobs
What cities are hiring for Alternative Protein jobs? Cities with the most Alternative Protein job openings:
What states have the most Alternative Protein jobs? States with the most job openings for Alternative Protein jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Alternative Protein jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Alternative Protein jobs are:
Alternative Protein jobs near you
Infographic showing various Alternative Protein job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 25% Full Time, 72% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution.
Protein Research Manager - Decatur, IL

Protein Research Manager - Decatur, IL

Archer Daniels Midland

On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 26 days ago

ADM rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 185 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

76th of 358 rated logistics

Job description

Manager, Protein Research - Decatur, IL
We are seeking a highly skilled Protein Research Manager to lead ingredient development and optimization while collaborating with cross-functional teams and external partners to drive open innovation and support growth in protein nutrition solutions.
In this role, you will play a critical part in advancing ADM's research and development efforts in plant-based ingredients. Your primary responsibilities will include leading new protein ingredient development projects, driving structure-function characterization, and executing optimization and productivity initiatives to achieve commercial success.
This position reports to the Global R&D Director for Alternative Proteins within the Human Nutrition Research team. It is based on-site in Decatur, IL, and may require up to 15-25% travel.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead and advise on the discovery and development of scalable protein solutions for the food industry
  • Drive and execute projects focused on protein portfolio diversification aligned with ADM's Specialty Ingredients strategy
  • Manage and mentor scientists while collaborating with internal and external stakeholders on the development, analysis, and optimization of protein solutions
  • Develop and refine structure-function analytical methodologies for ingredient characterization
  • Lead and execute competitive intelligence initiatives for protein ingredients
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, analytical and sensory teams, formulators, as well as regulatory, marketing, and commercial functions to accelerate innovation
  • Manage external research collaborations to support the protein innovation and growth pipeline
  • Develop and execute CAPEX plans for the protein R&D team
  • Support internal and external training programs related to protein ingredients
  • Lead initiatives to expand R&D analytical capabilities for Specialized Nutrition and Savory markets
  • Champion laboratory safety by ensuring compliance with safety protocols, documentation and training
  • Utilize R&D project management systems and ensure clear stakeholder communication
Qualifications
Education & Experience
  • M.S. or Ph.D. in Food Science, Food Engineering, or a related field
  • 5+ years of experience in plant protein research 
Technical Expertise
  • Strong expertise in ingredient development, from bench scale through pilot and commercial scale-up
  • Deep understanding of structure-function relationships in plant proteins (preferable soy and/or pea)
  • Experience translating techno-functional properties of protein ingredients into food applications
Other Skills & Attributes
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate across functions
  • Strong project management capabilities, including leading multiple initiatives and managing teams
  • Proactive, results-driven mindset with a passion for innovation and problem-solving
Employee Perks and Benefits:
  • Relocation assistance to Decatur IL is available with this position if needed.
  • This position offers a complete benefit package, including 401K/ESOP, pension, health, life, vision, and dental insurance.
  • ADM requires the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and a background check.
  • ADM is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability and veterans' status
Excited about this role but don't think you meet every requirement listed? We encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings.
ADM requires the successful completion of a background check. 
REF:108435BR

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