Head of External Manufacturing

About the Company

SMEY creates next-generation oils and fats using natural yeast and precision fermentation, with applications in cosmetics and food.

Role Summary

This position is responsible for steering the move from pilot-stage development to commercial manufacturing through external partners. The role focuses on building dependable, scalable, and cost-effective production by working closely with world-class Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), managing technology transfer, and securing favorable manufacturing agreements. It suits an industrial biotechnology professional with hands-on exposure to pilot plants, CMOs, or industrial biotech service settings who can balance technical depth with commercial decision-making.

Manufacturing Strategy and Partner Negotiation

• Create SMEY’s external manufacturing roadmap from pilot scale through commercial production.
• Search for, assess, and qualify partners for fermentation, downstream processing, and refining across Europe and other regions.
• Handle both technical and commercial discussions with CMOs and manufacturing partners.
• Agree on manufacturing budgets, process scope, schedules, and contract terms.
• Question cost and process assumptions to uncover opportunities to lower cost of goods sold.
• Develop durable strategic relationships with key manufacturing providers.

Technology Transfer and Scale-Up

• Lead the transfer of technology from SMEY’s R&D teams into external manufacturing sites.
• Coordinate scale-up work between internal teams and outside partners.
• Make sure production processes are resilient, scalable, and repeatable.
• Plan and supervise pilot runs as well as commercial manufacturing campaigns.

Manufacturing Economics

• Build cost models for current and future products.
• Drive projects aimed at reducing COGS.
• Assess different manufacturing scenarios and support pricing decisions with accurate production cost estimates.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate holds an MSc or PhD in Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related subject. A minimum of 8 years’ experience in industrial biotechnology, fermentation, process development, or manufacturing in CMOs or industrial facilities is required. The background should include technology transfer and process scale-up in CMOs, pilot plants, or industrial manufacturing organizations. Strong knowledge of fermentation, downstream processing, and industrial manufacturing operations is essential. The role also calls for proven experience in negotiating manufacturing contracts, technical partnerships, or industrial collaborations, along with a strong commercial outlook, sound technical judgment, excellent project and stakeholder management abilities, and an established network in the industrial biotechnology manufacturing space.

Success in the First 3 to 6 Months

• Build SMEY’s preferred network of manufacturing partners.
• Successfully move SMEY’s production process into commercial-scale manufacturing.
• Deliver manufacturing costs that are competitive enough to support profitable product launches.

What We Offer

• An opportunity to help define the manufacturing direction of a fast-growing biotechnology company.
• Ownership of a highly strategic business function.
• Close collaboration with leading CMOs and industrial partners across Europe and beyond.
• The chance to take sustainable oils and fats from laboratory development to global markets.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter describing their background and motivation to the email address provided in the source, with the subject line “Head of External Manufacturing”.