Head of Manufacturing

Location London
Job type: Permanent
Salary: £100000
Contact name: Nick Jones

Contact email: nick@ct-19.co.uk
Job ref: 34970
Published: 2 days ago

By combining computational protein design, machine learning, and automation, we accelerate the development of innovative materials for a wide range of sectors, from fashion to medical textiles. Our novel protein-based fibres are designed to replace petrochemical-derived materials, offering a sustainable, biodegradable, and functional alternative for consumers, industry, and the planet.

Our multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and software developers comes from a variety of backgrounds, all united by a passion for developing next-generation materials. We are now looking for a Head of Manufacturing (full-time, in-person) to join our growing team and play a central role in bringing our technology to scale.

 

Head of Manufacturing – Biomaterials Scale up

Location: London (onsite)

Salary: Circa £100k + Strong Benefits

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Contribute as a member of the senior leadership team to the strategic direction and growth of the company.
  • Report directly to the CEO and regularly update the Board on manufacturing strategy and progress.
  • Scale-Up & Technology Transfer: Lead the transition of manufacturing processes from lab-scale to pilot and commercial production. Oversee selection and coordination with Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) to ensure effective technology transfer.
  • Line manage heads of the fibre spinning and strain engineering/bioprocess teams; manage partnerships with Contract Research Organizations (CROs).
  • Build and maintain detailed supply chain models with financial projections for large-scale manufacturing.
  • Manage relationships with key suppliers, manufacturers, and logistics partners to ensure efficient and scalable production.
  • Ensure all manufacturing processes align with sustainability goals, including waste minimisation, reduced energy and water usage, and circular economy principles.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Oversee adherence to health, safety, environmental standards, REACH, and other relevant regulations across internal operations and outsourced manufacturing. Maintain required documentation, including SOPs, MSDS, batch records, and regulatory filings.
  • Process Optimisation: Drive continuous improvement of industrial processes by applying statistical methods, process modelling, mass balance calculations, and experimental design to enhance productivity and efficiency.

 

Qualifications & Experience

  • Degree in Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • Proven experience scaling up manufacturing processes, ideally in polymer processing and/or bioprocess manufacturing.
  • Strong understanding of regulatory standards and quality systems for new materials and/or technical-grade bioprocessing.
  • Excellent technical skills and analytical thinking.
  • Proactive and self-driven with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, start-up environment.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to work effectively with internal teams and external partners.
  • Extensive experience in project management and leading technical teams.