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.