Chief Operating Officer

KÄÄPÄ Biotech; Karjalohja; On-site; EUR 90 000 - 120 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biotech company is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to optimize operations across production and supply chain. This role demands over 10 years of experience in operations leadership, effective collaboration, and strong analytical skills. The successful candidate will play a key role in scaling production and ensuring compliance with international standards. Join a motivated team focused on innovation and excellence in Karjalohja, Finland.

Benefits

Opportunity to shape functional mushroom production

Values-driven company culture

Work with a motivated interdisciplinary team

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years in production or operations leadership roles.
• Experience in scaling operations from pilot to industrial scale.
• Excellent English communication skills; additional languages are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead operations in cultivation, processing, production, and logistics.
• Build a scalable production infrastructure.
• Ensure compliance with international standards.

Skills

Analytical skills

Decision-making

Leadership

Collaboration

Planning

Organization

Education

Degree in Biotech, Chemical Process, or Industrial Engineering

Tools

ERP systems (Odoo, Procountor)

Job description

About the Role

We are looking for a growth-minded and strategic Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join our senior leadership team at KÄÄPÄ Biotech. In this role, you will lead and optimize all operational functions across production, supply chain, logistics, and manufacturing. You will be responsible for building scalable infrastructure and processes, managing international operations, and ensuring the successful scale-up of our functional mushroom products to meet global demand.

This full-time position is based in Karjalohja (Finland), with occasional travel to European partners. You will report directly to the CEO and work closely with R&D, production, and the wider management team to deliver on the company\'s commercial and strategic goals.

At KÄÄPÄ Biotech, we are grounded in innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. As COO, you will play a key role in shaping our operations while fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and psychological safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and lead KÄÄPÄ Biotech\'s operations across cultivation, downstream processing, production, supply chain, and logistics
• Build and optimize multi-site production infrastructure and processes to meet growing domestic and international demand
• Lead the scale-up of operations in close collaboration with R&D and technical teams, from lab to pilot to industrial scale
• Oversee all aspects of operations and supply chain: planning, sourcing, inventory, packaging, fulfilment, logistics
• Ensure compliance with international food, supplement, and pharmaceutical-grade standards
• Manage CAPEX investments, including equipment procurement, commissioning, and facility development
• Drive operational excellence by instilling a culture of continuous improvement, safety, and ownership
• Establish and track performance metrics (KPIs) to improve efficiency, yield, and quality
• Support production operations including QA/QC, HSE, utilities, waste management, and environmental impact
• Collaborate with the CEO and leadership team on company-wide strategies, planning, and investment decisions
• Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing operations team as the company scales internationally
• Meet budgetary and timeline targets, ensuring cost-effective and sustainable growth

Qualifications and Essential Requirements

• At least 10 years of experience in production, operations, or supply chain leadership roles
• Degree in Biotech, Chemical Process, or Industrial Engineering; advanced degree (MSc/MBA) is a plus
• Background in biotech, food tech, nutraceuticals, or other regulated production industries
• Proven experience in scaling operations from pilot to industrial scale
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to balance strategy and hands-on execution
• Comfortable operating in fast-scaling, dynamic environments
• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills; other languages are a plus
• Strong planning and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, delegate, and meet deadlines
• Experience leading multi-site and cross-border operations
• Skilled at collaborating across departments and with external partners
• A collaborative, inclusive people leader who leads by example and can coach, inspire, and motivate high-performing teams

Preferred Experience

• Experience in mushroom or mycelium production, downstream processing (DSP), or controlled environment agriculture (CEA)
• Knowledge of food process engineering, production equipment, QA/QC systems, and relevant certifications
• Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., Odoo, Procountor) and data-driven operations management
• Demonstrated success in building and leading teams through high-growth phases
• Experience building or leading operations in international markets

Why Join KÄÄPÄ Biotech?

• A key leadership position in a fast-growing biotech company focused on sustainable innovation
• Direct opportunity to shape the future of functional mushroom production at large-scale
• Drive the growth and integration of international operations across production and supply chain
• Work with a highly motivated, interdisciplinary team with a shared sense of purpose
• A values-driven company culture built on innovation, responsibility, and respect for nature

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a short cover letter outlining your interest in the role and relevant experience to CEO Eric Puro. Please include "COO Application" in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.