Location: St Asaph, North Wales
Salary: £45,000 – £50,000
Reporting to: Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Direct Reports (initial): Production Operators (future), Process/Manufacturing Engineer (future)
About PlantSea
PlantSea 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 PlantSea’s future growth.
The Opportunity
This is a unique opportunity to join PlantSea 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 PlantSea’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 PlantSea’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 PlantSea’s transition from pilot manufacturing to industrial-scale production.
Key Responsibilities
Manufacturing Operations
- Lead the implementation and day-to-day operation of PlantSea’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.
Continuous Improvement
Drive continuous improvement across the manufacturing operation by:
- Improving throughput
- Increasing manufacturing yield
- Improving product consistency
- Reducing downtime
- Improving equipment utilisation
- Reducing operating costs
- Improving process robustness
- Supporting automation and future manufacturing technologies
Use operational data to identify opportunities for improvement and help shape the evolution of PlantSea’s manufacturing capability.
Team Leadership
- Build, lead and develop PlantSea’s manufacturing team.
- Recruit, train and mentor production operators as the facility grows.
- Foster a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Lead by example and remain hands-on where required.
Manufacturing Systems
Develop and maintain the operational systems required to support manufacturing, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Batch Manufacturing Records, Cleaning procedures, Preventative maintenance systems, Equipment logs, Inventory systems, Production planning, Manufacturing KPIs, Continuous improvement programmes
Quality
- Ensure manufacturing processes consistently deliver products to specification.
- Maintain accurate production documentation and batch records.
- Investigate deviations and implement corrective actions.
- Support the development of manufacturing quality systems appropriate for a growing commercial operation.
Health, Safety & Environment
Champion a strong health and safety culture across the manufacturing operation by:
- Developing safe systems of work
- Completing risk assessments and COSHH assessments
- Delivering operator training
- Investigating incidents
- Ensuring environmental compliance
- Maintaining high operational standards
Engineering & Maintenance
Work alongside engineering colleagues and contractors to:
- Commission new equipment
- Maintain production equipment
- Coordinate preventative maintenance
- Troubleshoot operational issues
- Support equipment upgrades and future automation
- Improve equipment reliability and availability
Essential Experience
Candidates should demonstrate experience in most of the following areas:
- Significant hands-on manufacturing experience within chemical processing/manufacturing, biomass processing, bio-refining, industrial biotechnology or closely related process industries.
- Experience establishing, commissioning or operating manufacturing facilities or pilot plants.
- Practical understanding of process plant infrastructure and utilities, and their integration into safe and reliable manufacturing operations.
- Experience leading manufacturing or production teams.
- Experience implementing manufacturing systems, procedures and operational standards.
- Experience delivering safe, efficient manufacturing operations.
- Strong understanding of industrial process equipment and process operations.
- Experience troubleshooting manufacturing and process issues.
- Experience working within fast-moving technical or manufacturing environments.
Desirable Experience
Experience with Process automation, Utility systems, Polymer manufacturing, Food or fermentation processing.
Knowledge of biomass extraction, polysaccharides, natural polymers or sustainable materials
Personal Attributes
We’re looking for someone who:
- Enjoys building new manufacturing capability from the ground up.
- Is practical, proactive and solutions-focused.
- Leads by example and is comfortable working alongside operators.
- Takes ownership and accountability for operational performance.
- Thinks strategically whilst remaining highly practical.
- Builds strong relationships across technical, engineering and operational teams.
- Communicates clearly and confidently at all levels of the organisation.
- Is motivated by continuous improvement and operational excellence.
How to Apply
If you’re excited by the opportunity to help develop & manufacture the next generation of sustainable polymer technologies, we’d love to hear from you.
Please send your CV and a covering letter to technical.recruitment@plantsea.co.uk.
In your covering letter, please tell us:
- Why does this opportunity interest you, and why do you believe you are a strong fit for PlantSea?
- Tell us about a production campaign or manufacturing operation that you have personally led.
What were you producing, what was your responsibility, what challenges did you encounter, and what was the outcome? - Describe a practical process or equipment problem that you have personally helped diagnose and resolve.
What was happening, how did you determine the cause, and what did you do to get the process or equipment working effectively? - Tell us about a time you have implemented, commissioned or significantly improved a manufacturing process, production line or facility.
What did you personally own, how did you approach it, and what changed as a result? - What unique skills, experience or perspective would you bring to PlantSea as we build our manufacturing operation and team?