Founding Plant Manager

Job description

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.