Founding Plant Manager

<p>Location: Leuna Chemical Park (with onboarding time in Hamburg and Lisbon)<br><br></p>

<p>About the Role</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>What You’ll Do</p>

<ul>

<li>Lead the project: Oversee basic and detailed engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning of our first industrial production plant.</li>

<li>Manage partners: Align external contractors and site infrastructure, ensuring timelines, budgets, and quality standards.</li>

<li>Build the team: Hire, onboard, and train the first plant operations team.</li>

<li>Set the standards: Develop and implement SOPs for new processes, ensuring safety and compliance at all times.</li>

<li>Run the plant: Transition into Plant Manager role to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient operations.</li>

<li>Continuously improve: Optimize production processes to maximize performance, quality, and yield.</li>

<li>Transfer culture: Embed MicroHarvest’s entrepreneurial, collaborative culture into the new location.</li>

</ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>What We’re Looking For</p>

<ul>

<li>Degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related field.</li>

<li>5+ years’ experience in chemical/biotech/process manufacturing in a responsible role.</li>

<li>Proven track record in investment projects of significant size.</li>

<li>Strong knowledge of process optimization, troubleshooting, ESHQ, and process safety.</li>

<li>A natural leader who can balance structure and efficiency with startup agility.</li>

<li>Hands-on, pragmatic, and team-oriented with strong time management.</li>

<li>Fluent in English and German.</li>

<li>Motivated by sustainability and eager to join a fast-growing biotech startup.</li>

</ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Why Join Us</p>

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

<ul>

<li>Impact: Your work will directly contribute to solving the global challenge of feeding the world sustainably.</li>

<li>Ownership: Lead one of the most important projects in MicroHarvest’s journey — our first industrial site.</li>

<li>Collaboration: Work closely with our founders, engineering partners, and a highly experienced biotech team.</li>

<li>Culture: Join an ambitious, international, and diverse startup where curiosity and teamwork drive everything.</li>

</ul>

<p>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.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>