Founding Plant Manager

Astanor Ventures; Sachsen-Anhalt; Vor Ort; EUR 80.000 - 120.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Impact on sustainability

Ownership of important projects

Collaboration with experienced team

Zusammenfassung

Astanor Ventures is looking for a founding Plant Manager to lead the investment project at Leuna Chemical Park. You will oversee engineering, procurement, and commissioning of the plant as well as build and manage the operations team.

This role offers the opportunity to shape sustainable protein production within a fast-growing biotech startup. The ideal candidate has a strong background in chemical engineering and over 5 years of relevant experience.

Join us and make a significant impact in an ambitious and collaborative environment.

Qualifikationen

• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related field required.
• 5+ years’ experience in chemical/biotech/process manufacturing in a responsible role.
• Proven track record in managing significant investment projects.

Aufgaben

• Oversee engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning of the plant.
• Align external contractors and site infrastructure with project standards.
• Hire and train the first plant operations team.
• Develop and implement SOPs for safety and compliance.
• Transition into Plant Manager role for operations.
• Optimize production processes for performance and quality.

Kenntnisse

Leadership

Process optimization

Project management

Team building

Fluency in English

Fluency in German

Ausbildung

Degree in Chemical Engineering/Biotechnology

Jobbeschreibung

Location: Leuna Chemical Park (with onboarding time in Hamburg and Lisbon)

About the Role

At MicroHarvest, we are scaling the next generation of bioprocessing. Our first industrial-scale production plant at Leuna Chemical Park is a cornerstone of this journey — a mid eight‑figure investment and a start‑up targeted for late 2027.

We are hiring a founding Plant Manager who will first lead the investment project — from engineering and procurement through construction and commissioning — and then transition into running the plant, building the team, systems, and culture that will define MicroHarvest operations for years to come.

This role is for a builder at heart: someone who thrives on switching between strategic leadership and hands‑on execution, and who wants to shape a facility that will set new standards in sustainable protein production.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the project: Oversee basic and detailed engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning of our first industrial production plant.
• Manage partners: Align external contractors and site infrastructure, ensuring timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Build the team: Hire, onboard, and train the first plant operations team.
• Set the standards: Develop and implement SOPs for new processes, ensuring safety and compliance at all times.
• Run the plant: Transition into Plant Manager role to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient operations.
• Continuously improve: Optimize production processes to maximize performance, quality, and yield.
• Transfer culture: Embed MicroHarvest’s entrepreneurial, collaborative culture into the new location.

What We’re Looking For

• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related field.
• 5+ years’ experience in chemical/biotech/process manufacturing in a responsible role.
• Proven track record in investment projects of significant size.
• Strong knowledge of process optimization, troubleshooting, ESHQ, and process safety.
• A natural leader who can balance structure and efficiency with startup agility.
• Hands‑on, pragmatic, and team‑oriented with strong time management.
• Fluent in English and German.
• Motivated by sustainability and eager to join a fast‑growing biotech startup.

Why Join Us

At MicroHarvest, you’ll do more than manage a plant — you’ll shape the future of sustainable protein production.

• Impact: Your work will directly contribute to solving the global challenge of feeding the world sustainably.
• Ownership: Lead one of the most important projects in MicroHarvest’s journey — our first industrial site.
• Collaboration: Work closely with our founders, engineering partners, and a highly experienced biotech team.
• Culture: Join an ambitious, international, and diverse startup where curiosity and teamwork drive everything.

This is a once-in-a-career opportunity: to build and lead a plant from scratch and leave your mark on the future of food.