Piloting Facility Manager
Listed on 2026-08-30
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Engineering
Operations Management -
Management
Operations Management, Project & Program Management
Piloting Facility Manager
Final date to receive applications: 25 September 2026
Department: Network Planning and Operational Structure
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Ames, IA
Reporting To: Chief Manufacturing Officer
Compensation: $145,000 - $175,000 / year
DescriptionBioMADE is working to change the United States’ bioindustrial innovation ecosystem by creating a network of pilot and intermediate scale facilities so that U. S. innovators can scale, and ultimately produce, bioindustrial products domestically. This position will be responsible for ensuring that this once-in-a-generation opportunity to create and operate biomanufacturing piloting infrastructure will set our nation on course to have resilient and secure supply chains for the chemicals and materials originating from renewable feed stocks.
The Piloting Facility Manager (PFM) will lead a team that delivers effective and efficient operations to the companies using the BioMADE piloting facility for the scale up of their process and early production of their product. The PFM will be a role model for safety leadership driving a strong safety culture. Working in conjunction with Bio Made's extensive member organizations, the PFM will deliver project results from innovative manufacturing processes that make a wide variety of products via fermentation technologies.
The PFM will manage a flexible piloting environment while maintaining safety and regulatory standards.
The Iowa piloting facility is currently in a construction phase with completion planned for Fall 2027. This position will contribute by bringing real world experience in operating a production or piloting facility as we commission and start up the Iowa BioMADE piloting facility. The PFM needs to be comfortable with developing and improving new work processes as we move forward in building a multi-facility pilot plant network.
As the most senior position at the facility, the PFM will be responsible for setting annual goals, hiring and coaching staff, and budgeting. This position may be involved in development of the long-term capital investment strategies for the pilot plant network, or projects seeking operational efficiencies, capacity expansion, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities- Responsible for the overall performance of the facility in meeting the organizational goals including driving a strong safety culture, completing piloting projects on time, developing staff, and managing budgets
- Partner with our business development team to understand our customer’s piloting goals and convert them into robust technical plans that can be executed in the piloting facility
- Focus on safety in operations, both employee safety and process safety management
- Lead the development and execution of the commissioning of the pilot plant
- Lead in the prioritization and development of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other high priority processes and systems for the facility
- Collaborate with the capital project team to improve the operability of the facility during the engineering and construction phases of the project
- Manage the site logistics of ordering, receiving, storing and shipping of raw material, supplies, and final products
- Other duties as assigned.
- BS or advanced degree in Engineering or related discipline (chemical engineering, bioengineering, biotechnology, biochemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or other relevant engineering discipline) with substantial industrial experience.
- 12+ years of progressive experience in production management, pilot plant management, capital project management, or reliability management with significant portion of that in industrial settings.
- 8+ years in operations management in biomanufacturing facility, preferably a portion of that leading the operations of a facility.
- Excellent understanding of biomanufacturing equipment and facilities, including media preparation, fermentation, cell separation, and downstream purification.
- Prior experience in operating a facility to meet regulatory requirements, including OSHA and other government regulatory agencies.
- Must possess and cultivate the highest levels of safety…
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