Founding Operations Lead; Health Consumer Product Startup

Position: Founding Operations Lead (Health Consumer Product Startup)
Location: Volpiano

About the Company At EUPRANA we are an early-stage Italian startup developing an innovative consumer health product in the respiratory wellness space. Our first product is a patented research-derived nasal patch designed to improve breathing comfort. The company is pre-revenue and preparing for its commercial launch in Italy through pharmacy and mass-market distribution channels.

We are supported by experienced advisors and preparing fundraising activities. In that context, we are seeking our first full-time executive hire to lead operations, execution, and early market entry.

Role Summary We are looking for a hands-on, entrepreneurial leader who will act as a “one-person execution engine” during the company’s initial phase. This role combines elements of CEO, COO, and Head of Business Development, with direct responsibility for turning strategy into operational reality.

This is not a corporate management role;  it is a founding-stage builder role requiring autonomy, accountability, and comfort with ambiguity.

Key Responsibilities Product & Operations Identify and manage contract manufacturers and suppliers, including negotiations and contractualization

Oversee product industrialization and quality control

Coordinate packaging, regulatory compliance, and logistics setup

Commercial & Market Launch Develop positioning and go-to-market strategy for Italy Establish relationships with pharmacy chains, distributors, and retail partners

Coordinate initial sales and distribution agreements

Marketing & Brand Define product messaging and differentiation vs competitors

Supervise creation of marketing materials and campaigns

Manage digital presence and performance marketing agencies

Corporate & Fundraising Support Prepare operational inputs for investor decks

Support fundraising processes and due diligence

Coordinate advisors and external consultants

General Management Budget ownership and cost control

KPI definition and tracking

Hiring planning for subsequent employees

Profile & Experience Must Have8–15 years of professional experience

Experience in consumer health, pharma OTC, medical devices, cosmetics, or FMCGDemonstrated ability to execute projects end-to-end Strong negotiation and supplier management skills

Comfort with ambiguity and startup pace Fluent Italian and strong English Highly Valuable Experience launching consumer products in pharmacies or retail

Exposure to regulatory or quality frameworks

Fundraising or investor interaction experience

Digital marketing literacy

Personal Attributes Ownership mindset

Pragmatic problem solver

Resilient under uncertainty

Hands-on executor rather than delegator

Ethical and transparent communicator

What We Offer Founding-level impact and autonomy

Equity participation aligned with company growth

Competitive but startup-stage compensation

Direct exposure to investors and strategic decisions

Location

Italy (Remote with frequent travel to Milan or other major cities)
*** ITALIAN
* ** Chi Siamo

EUPRANA è una startup italiana in fase iniziale che sta sviluppando un innovativo prodotto consumer nel settore del benessere respiratorio. Il primo prodotto è un cerotto nasale brevettato, derivato da ricerca scientifica, progettato per migliorare il comfort respiratorio. L’azienda è pre-ricavi e si sta preparando al lancio commerciale in Italia attraverso canali farmacia e grande  Euprana siamo supportati da advisor esperti e stiamo preparando attività di raccolta fondi.

In questo contesto, stiamo cercando il primo inserimento executive full-time per guidare operazioni, execution e ingresso iniziale sul mercato.

Sintesi del Ruolo Cerchiamo un leader operativo, imprenditoriale e orientato all’azione che, nella fase iniziale dell’azienda, operi come un vero e proprio “motore di esecuzione individuale”. Il ruolo combina elementi di CEO, COO e Responsabile Business Development, con responsabilità diretta nel trasformare la strategia in risultati operativi concreti.

Non si tratta di un ruolo manageriale corporate tradizionale, ma di una posizione da builder di fase fondativa, che richiede autonomia, forte senso di responsabilità e comfort nell’incertezza.

Principali ResponsabilitàProdotto & Operations…