Head of Manufacturing

Epoch Biodesign Epoch Biodesign is a well-funded, venture-backed start-up using biology to make every type of plastic recyclable - starting with Nylon. Using a unique combination of AI, synthetic biology and green chemistry, we are scaling enzymatic recycling processes that transform unrecyclable plastics into new, virgin-quality materials. These processes yield substantial reductions in carbon emissions and prevent waste from entering landfill or the environment. They also generate disruptive unit economics, allowing us to scale our solutions quickly to solve this urgent challenge. With our pilot plant already processing Nylon 6,6 waste at the multi-tonne level, we will imminently complete construction on our larger demo facility. This will produce material that will be used in garments for some of the world’s biggest brands, and also in components for some of the world’s largest car companies. As Head of Manufacturing at Epoch you will: Process Operation Lead daily production at our pilot and demo plant facilities Develop, implement and continuously improve production processes and SOPs Plan, monitor performance, troubleshoot issues and ensure smooth execution for production campaigns against clearly defined timelines Operational compliance: environmental permitting, waste handling, certification of our output Establish a scalable Quality Management System (policies → SOPs → records) that meets our regulatory obligations and brings discipline to how we generate, store, review, and act on data Perform root-cause investigations for deviations / non-conformances to identify what went wrong and what corrective / preventive actions (CAPA) are needed Establish feedstock and production traceability from incoming materials through each production run, including documenting batch records General reporting on production process performance metrics Plan capacity - including workweek structure and shift patterns - and scale to extended-hour or multi-shift operations when needed, while preserving quality, safety and compliance Health & Safety Take direct ownership of health and safety across all production activities Ensure compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements and industry best practices Promote a culture of safety and accountability across the team Feedstock and Inventory Management In conjunction with the Feedstock Procurement Manager, oversee feedstock receipt, handling and storage across pilot and demo sites Track inventory levels for raw materials, consumables and finished product Work with procurement and operations teams to ensure supply continuity and cost-effectiveness Vendor & Stakeholder Management Coordinate with third-party vendors, commercial partners and service providers supporting production activities Coordinate with internal R&D teams for tech transfer of modifications to the process Act as a strong Epoch representative, maintaining excellent relationships with commercial partners and suppliers Team Leadership Manage and develop production team members, providing coaching, training and support Foster a high-performance, safety-conscious culture Essential qualifications and experience Degree in chemical engineering or related field 10+ years’ experience in a production, operations or plant management role within a chemical or industrial processing-oriented industry Strong knowledge of process safety, operational best practices and regulatory compliance Experience scaling from pilot/demo plants to commercial operations is highly desirable Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities Familiarity with Lean or Six Sigma PM methodologies is a bonus Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate with team members from across R&D, commercial and operations Benefits Epoch Biodesign offers a comprehensive benefits program. At the moment this includes: A generous allowance of 30 days paid holiday (plus the usual 8 bank holidays) Meaningful EMI Share Options A non-contributory pension of 9% employer contribution Optional company covered private medical insurance with Vitality Group Income Protection Group Critical Illness Flexible working around the core times of 10am to 4pm Cycle to work scheme Tech scheme The opportunity to be part of building something remarkable On-the-job perks: Complementary fresh fruit, coffee, tea and snacks Onsite gym Various staff social activities We are always in the process of reviewing and implementing further on-the-job perks #J-18808-Ljbffr