Head of External Manufacturing

About SMEY

SMEY develops next-generation oils and fats produced by natural yeast through precision fermentation, targeting the cosmetics and food industries.

Position Overview

We are looking for an experienced industrial biotechnology professional to lead the industrialization and scale-up of our products through external manufacturing partners.

Your mission

Deliver reliable, scalable, and commercially competitive manufacturing by building and managing strategic relationships with world class Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), leading technology transfer, and negotiating optimal manufacturing terms.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Strategy & Commercial Negotiation

• Develop SMEY’s external manufacturing strategy from pilot to commercial scale.
• Identify, evaluate and qualify partners for fermentation, downstream processing and refining across Europe and beyond.
• Lead technical and commercial negotiations with CMOs and manufacturing partners.
• Negotiate manufacturing costs, process scope, timelines and commercial terms.
• Challenge manufacturing assumptions and identify opportunities to reduce Cost of Goods Sold (COGS).
• Build long-term strategic partnerships with key manufacturing providers.

Technology Transfer & Industrialization

• Lead technology transfer from SMEY R&D into external manufacturing facilities.
• Coordinate process scale‑up activities with internal R&D teams and external partners.
• Ensure manufacturing processes are robust, scalable and reproducible.
• Plan and oversee pilot and commercial manufacturing campaigns.

Manufacturing Economics

• Develop manufacturing cost models for existing and future products.
• Drive initiatives that reduce COGS.
• Evaluate manufacturing scenarios and support product pricing decisions through accurate manufacturing cost estimates.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in industrial biotechnology, fermentation, process development or manufacturing at CMOs/industrial sites.
• Experience with technology transfer and process scale-up at CMOs, pilot plants or industrial manufacturing organizations.
• Strong understanding of fermentation, downstream processing and industrial manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating manufacturing agreements, technical collaborations or industrial partnerships.
• Strong commercial mindset combined with technical judgment.
• Excellent project management and stakeholder management skills.
• Established network within the industrial biotechnology manufacturing ecosystem.

What Success Looks Like

Within the first 3-6 months, you will:

• Establish SMEY’s preferred network of manufacturing partners.
• Successfully transfer SMEY’s production processes into commercial‑scale manufacturing.
• Deliver commercially competitive manufacturing costs that enable profitable product launches.

What We Offer

• A unique opportunity to shape the manufacturing strategy of a fast‑growing biotechnology company.
• Ownership of one of SMEY’s most business‑critical functions.
• Close collaboration with leading CMOs and industrial partners across Europe and beyond.
• The opportunity to bring sustainable next‑generation oils and fats from laboratory technology to global markets.