Head Of Operations

MOA foodtech; Chantada; Presencial; EUR 70.000 - 90.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

A pioneering biotechnology startup in Spain is seeking a seasoned operations leader to manage the transition from pilot to industrial-scale production. You will oversee CMO coordination, establish operational systems, and ensure that projects stay on track amidst uncertainty. Ideal candidates have extensive experience in industrial biotech and a verified track in managing scale-up processes. This role offers meaningful equity, competitive compensation, and the chance to significantly influence the company's operational strategy.

Servicios

Meaningful equity

Flexible working conditions

Competitive compensation

Formación

• 7–12+ years in industrial biotech, bioprocessing, fermentation, or specialty chemicals.
• Proven track record managing tech transfer and scale-up at CMOs.
• Strong program management skills with complex milestones.

Responsabilidades

• Own operational leadership of pilot-to-industrial scale transitions.
• Build and maintain integrated project plans for scale-up.
• Develop comprehensive risk registers covering execution risks.

Conocimientos

Program management

Risk management

Technical communication

Coordination with CMOs

Descripción del empleo

We are a fast-moving, Series A industrial biotechnology startup developing breakthrough bioprocesses to bring sustainable products to market ?? . After demonstrating strong performance at pilot scale, we are now preparing for the difficult leap to industrial-scale production. This next phase brings substantial technical, operational, and execution complexity, especially as we work with Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) to scale beyond in-house capability.

Scale-Up & CMO Management

• Own operational leadership of pilot-to-industrial scale transitions, including navigating the non-linear challenges that emerge at larger scales.
• Coordinate deeply with CMOs on fermentation and downstream operations, ensuring alignment on experimental design, run readiness, process changes, and data expectations.
• Anticipate and manage execution risk, equipment availability, limited campaign windows, raw material constraints, process deviations, and analytical bottlenecks.
• Drive tech transfer packages that are complete, actionable, and reflect real-world operational conditions at each CMO.
• Establish clear communication, issue-tracking, and escalation frameworks with external partners.

Project & Program Management

• Build and maintain detailed, integrated project plans that account for the realities of scale-up: long lead times, interdependencies, and high uncertainty.
• Run structured program reviews, decision gates, and cross-functional alignment processes to keep execution on track.
• Implement and maintain systems for documentation, change management, run planning, and technical/operational sign-off.
• Translate R&D learning into operational timelines and resource needs, ensuring leadership has a realistic view of execution risk.

Uncertainty & Risk Management

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive risk register covering technical performance, CMO execution, supply chain constraints, and schedule sensitivities.
• Lead scenario planning for potential failures or delays, e.g., fermentation underperformance, failed batches, CMO capacity shifts, or process redesign.
• Use probabilistic and adaptive planning principles to manage high uncertainty while maintaining forward momentum.
• Introduce structure for early detection of issues and rapid response.

Operational Planning & Execution

• Build the operational systems required to scale: run planning, campaign logistics, procurement coordination, and quality interfaces.
• Coordinate material readiness, sample flow, data delivery, and reporting for all scale-up activities.
• Manage operational budgets tied to scale-up campaigns and CMO workstreams, including spend and tracking burn.
• Set up robust internal processes—SOPs, workflows, decision logs, that support disciplined execution.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Act as the connective tissue between process development, fermentation engineering, downstream engineering, analytics, supply chain, and leadership teams.
• Bring clarity and structure to ambiguous technical programs, enabling efficient decision-making.
• Mentor and grow a small operations team to support increasing program complexity.

Qualifications

• 7–12+ years in industrial biotech, bioprocessing, fermentation, or specialty chemicals with direct experience scaling processes from pilot to industrial scale.
• Proven track record managing tech transfer and scale-up at CMOs or commercial manufacturing sites.
• Strong program management skills and experience managing complex, interdependent milestones under uncertainty.
• Demonstrated ability to plan amid incomplete information and manage risks proactively.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and documentation skills.

Preferred

• Experience in Series A–B startups or other high-growth environments where structure must be built from the ground up.
• Hands‑on exposure to fermentation, downstream processing, or bioprocess engineering challenges during scale‑up.
• Experience implementing operational systems (project tracking, run planning, vendor management, documentation frameworks).
• PMP, Lean/Six Sigma, or similar certifications.

What We Offer

The opportunity to shape the operational foundation of a company at a pivotal inflection point.

Direct influence on strategy, resource allocation, and execution as we move toward industrial‑scale production.

Meaningful equity and competitive compensation.

A mission‑driven team committed to technical excellence and sustainable innovation.

Why Join MOA

Play a key role in scaling a novel biotechnological process from pilot to industrial production.

Work closely with multidisciplinary teams at the intersection of biotech, food, engineering, and circular economy ??

Join a mission‑driven, fast‑growing company redefining the food industry.

Enjoy a flat structure, high autonomy, and a team of smart, kind humans.

Benefit from flexible working conditions and competitive compensation.

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Interested?

Send us your CV to ****** and we will contact you shortly.