Epoch Biodesign
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 Managemen 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 Managemen 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!
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 Managemen 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 Managemen 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!
Notpla Limited
City, London
The Role At Notpla, we're at the forefront of sustainable innovation, creating natural alternatives to single-use plastic packaging that are carefully engineered to help build a healthier planet. Founded on the belief that nature knows best, we're an innovative, action-oriented scale-up developing and manufacturing uncompromisingly natural packaging solutions from seaweed and plants. As a Senior Material Scientist, you'll spearhead scientific and technological breakthroughs, playing a pivotal role in developing natural polymer technologies to replace plastic. This role will suit someone with a background in Materials Science, Polymer Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering, with hands-on experience working with natural materials such as biopolyesters, rubbers, resins, seaweed, and/or processes such as PET recycling or polymer extrusion. This is an exciting time to join Notpla - we're on the brink of a record-breaking year for revenue and on track for major growth in the next 18-24 months. To support this, we have just secured a £20 million Series A+ fundraise, enabling us to scale our growth and environmental impact faster than ever. Beyond offering meaningful roles and a vibrant working environment, Notpla provides competitive compensation, including EMI Share Options, a zero-carbon pension scheme, discounts with local businesses, and subsidised social activities. Our office-first hybrid working policy lets you work in the way that maximises your productivity while maintaining a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere. We're a social business with regular clubs and events, and we're proud of how our diverse, mission-driven community works together to make plastic disappear. Led by strong values, all Notpla employees are encouraged to take ownership of their domain, enjoying a high degree of autonomy. Our aim is to build an inspiring culture reflected in our working policies, environment, and people. As a Senior Material Scientist, you'll balance fast-paced feasibility initiatives with in-depth polymer and process development. Your work will be highly hands-on and collaborative, engaging with cross-disciplinary teams and international partners. You'll tackle complex materials challenges, coordinate trials, scout novel natural polymer opportunities, and engage with a network of scientific experts and labs to bring innovation to life. Within the Innovation Team, you'll thrive in a setting that embraces ambiguity and agile ways of working. You'll collaborate closely with colleagues from diverse backgrounds - such as design, engineering, and business - to develop new materials and products. A true innovator, you'll explore the unknown, constantly learning and pushing the boundaries of science rooted in nature. Key Responsibilities Play a central scientific role in Notpla's in a large funded consortium project, executing and coordinating polymer chemistry activities across the consortium. Pioneer new approaches to polymer synthesis from abundant natural materials. Conduct feasibility studies and fast-paced discovery projects to address material science and packaging challenges. Collaborate closely with cross-disciplinary teams - including designers, engineers, seaweed specialists, and business development managers - to solve complex problems. Identify, source, and test natural materials; develop formulations that meet performance, sustainability, and cost targets. Design and execute experiments, analyse data, and present findings to drive decision-making and project progress. Stay up to date with the latest scientific and industry advancements, integrating new knowledge into projects. Contribute to the development of intellectual property, including patents and trade secrets. Provide technical input for grant and client proposals to secure funding. Lead in-depth development projects to advance the understanding of seaweed and biomaterials for packaging applications. Characterise polymer structures, reactions, and material behaviour, and conduct performance, shelf-life, and compatibility studies. Represent Notpla to external partners, academic institutions, and commercial labs; coordinate third-party testing as needed. Develop technical strategies and approaches to solve key challenges. Mentor colleagues (scientists, designers, engineers) to help develop their technical skills and support their project work. Plan and manage your own workload effectively. Salary £38,000 - £45,000 + EMI Share Options
The Role At Notpla, we're at the forefront of sustainable innovation, creating natural alternatives to single-use plastic packaging that are carefully engineered to help build a healthier planet. Founded on the belief that nature knows best, we're an innovative, action-oriented scale-up developing and manufacturing uncompromisingly natural packaging solutions from seaweed and plants. As a Senior Material Scientist, you'll spearhead scientific and technological breakthroughs, playing a pivotal role in developing natural polymer technologies to replace plastic. This role will suit someone with a background in Materials Science, Polymer Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering, with hands-on experience working with natural materials such as biopolyesters, rubbers, resins, seaweed, and/or processes such as PET recycling or polymer extrusion. This is an exciting time to join Notpla - we're on the brink of a record-breaking year for revenue and on track for major growth in the next 18-24 months. To support this, we have just secured a £20 million Series A+ fundraise, enabling us to scale our growth and environmental impact faster than ever. Beyond offering meaningful roles and a vibrant working environment, Notpla provides competitive compensation, including EMI Share Options, a zero-carbon pension scheme, discounts with local businesses, and subsidised social activities. Our office-first hybrid working policy lets you work in the way that maximises your productivity while maintaining a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere. We're a social business with regular clubs and events, and we're proud of how our diverse, mission-driven community works together to make plastic disappear. Led by strong values, all Notpla employees are encouraged to take ownership of their domain, enjoying a high degree of autonomy. Our aim is to build an inspiring culture reflected in our working policies, environment, and people. As a Senior Material Scientist, you'll balance fast-paced feasibility initiatives with in-depth polymer and process development. Your work will be highly hands-on and collaborative, engaging with cross-disciplinary teams and international partners. You'll tackle complex materials challenges, coordinate trials, scout novel natural polymer opportunities, and engage with a network of scientific experts and labs to bring innovation to life. Within the Innovation Team, you'll thrive in a setting that embraces ambiguity and agile ways of working. You'll collaborate closely with colleagues from diverse backgrounds - such as design, engineering, and business - to develop new materials and products. A true innovator, you'll explore the unknown, constantly learning and pushing the boundaries of science rooted in nature. Key Responsibilities Play a central scientific role in Notpla's in a large funded consortium project, executing and coordinating polymer chemistry activities across the consortium. Pioneer new approaches to polymer synthesis from abundant natural materials. Conduct feasibility studies and fast-paced discovery projects to address material science and packaging challenges. Collaborate closely with cross-disciplinary teams - including designers, engineers, seaweed specialists, and business development managers - to solve complex problems. Identify, source, and test natural materials; develop formulations that meet performance, sustainability, and cost targets. Design and execute experiments, analyse data, and present findings to drive decision-making and project progress. Stay up to date with the latest scientific and industry advancements, integrating new knowledge into projects. Contribute to the development of intellectual property, including patents and trade secrets. Provide technical input for grant and client proposals to secure funding. Lead in-depth development projects to advance the understanding of seaweed and biomaterials for packaging applications. Characterise polymer structures, reactions, and material behaviour, and conduct performance, shelf-life, and compatibility studies. Represent Notpla to external partners, academic institutions, and commercial labs; coordinate third-party testing as needed. Develop technical strategies and approaches to solve key challenges. Mentor colleagues (scientists, designers, engineers) to help develop their technical skills and support their project work. Plan and manage your own workload effectively. Salary £38,000 - £45,000 + EMI Share Options
