Manufacturing Lead – Scale up & Operations

Reporting to: Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Direct Reports (initial): Production Operators (future), Process/Manufacturing Engineer (future)

About Plant Sea

Plant Sea is an award-winning biotechnology company developing next-generation seaweed-derived biomaterials that replace conventional plastics in water-soluble films and sustainable packaging applications.

As we transition from technology development into commercial manufacturing, we are establishing our first manufacturing facility to produce polymer for customer programmes, commercial sales and continued process scale-up. We are seeking an experienced manufacturing leader to help build and operate this capability, creating the operational foundations that will support Plant Sea's future growth.

The Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity to join Plant Sea at the point where innovative process technology becomes commercial manufacturing.

Working alongside the CTO and technical team, you will lead the implementation, operation and continual development of our manufacturing facility, ensuring safe, reliable and efficient production while building the systems, people and operational capability required to support long-term commercial growth.

You will oversee the day-to-day running of the facility, be hands-on leading production campaigns, developing manufacturing systems, supervising operators and working closely with engineering and technical teams to continuously improve the operation as production volumes increase.

As the business grows, you will play a leading role in expanding Plant Sea's manufacturing capability, supporting new equipment, larger facilities and the development of the manufacturing team.

Purpose of the Role

The Scale-Up Manufacturing Lead is responsible for implementing, operating and continually improving Plant Sea's manufacturing facility.

Working closely with the CTO, the role will translate established process technology into robust manufacturing operations capable of delivering safe, reliable and commercially successful production.

The successful candidate will develop the operational systems, manufacturing team and production capability required to support Plant Sea's transition from pilot manufacturing to industrial-scale production.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Operations

• Lead the implementation and day-to-day operation of Plant Sea’s manufacturing facility.
• Plan, coordinate and execute manufacturing campaigns.
• Deliver commercial polymer products safely, efficiently and to specification.
• Ensure customer orders, trials and production campaigns are delivered on schedule.
• Monitor manufacturing performance and resolve operational issues.
• Coordinate production resources and priorities.

Facility Implementation & Development

• Lead the operational set-up, implementation and commissioning of the facility, its manufacturing equipment, and production systems.
• Support facility layout, operational workflows and material flows.
• Work with equipment suppliers, engineering partners and contractors during installation and commissioning.
• Develop practical manufacturing solutions that improve safety, efficiency and scalability.
• Support future facility expansion projects as production capacity grows.

Process Implementation & Scale-Up

Working closely with the CTO and scientific team, implement and optimise manufacturing processes including Biomass handling through to processing / wet-chemical extraction, Filtration, Drying, finishing and packaging.

Support process validation, manufacturing trials and continuous improvement activities, providing operational feedback to support future process development.

Drive continuous improvement across the manufacturing operation by:

• Improving throughput
• Increasing…