Food Scientist Needed to Develop Fruit-Based Endurance Fuel Product (Sports Nutrition)

I am exploring the development of a new endurance nutrition product and am looking for an experienced food scientist, product formulator, or CPG product development professional to help evaluate, formulate, and commercialize the concept. This is not a hobby project or kitchen prototype. My goal is to determine whether this product can become a commercially viable consumer packaged good that can be manufactured at scale. Product Concept: A fruit-based endurance fuel designed for runners, cyclists, triathletes, and other endurance athletes. The product should combine: * Recognizable, real-food ingredients * Endurance-focused carbohydrate delivery * Portable gel or puree-style packaging * Good taste and texture during exercise * Shelf stability * Commercial manufacturing feasibility * Competitive unit economics The goal is NOT to create a fruit jam, baby food, or novelty snack product. The goal is to create a legitimate endurance fueling product that can compete within the sports nutrition category while maintaining a simple and recognizable ingredient profile. Project Scope: Phase 1 – Feasibility Assessment * Evaluate whether the product concept is commercially viable * Identify major formulation challenges and tradeoffs * Recommend realistic carbohydrate, electrolyte, texture, and shelf-life targets * Assess ingredient sourcing considerations * Identify potential manufacturing constraints Phase 2 – Commercial Formulation * Develop a commercially viable formula * Recommend ingredients and nutritional profile * Optimize for taste, texture, shelf life, and manufacturing practicality * Ensure ingredients are commercially available and scalable * Estimate expected shelf life and storage requirements Phase 3 – Manufacturing Guidance * Provide guidance on packaging options * Discuss co-manufacturing requirements * Estimate likely MOQ requirements * Provide rough cost-of-goods estimates * Identify potential commercialization risks Ideal Experience: * Food Science * Product Formulation * Sports Nutrition * Functional Foods * Shelf-Stable Foods * Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) * Energy Gels * Hydration Products * Endurance Nutrition * Commercial Product Development When Applying Please Include: * Relevant products you have helped formulate * Experience with sports nutrition or endurance nutrition products * Experience taking products from concept to manufacturing * Your process for commercial product development * Estimated timeline and budget * Any experience working with co-manufacturers The ideal candidate has experience developing products that successfully reached commercial production and can help bridge the gap between an idea and a manufacturable consumer product.