Circular Production Manager

As our Circular Production Manager, you will be a working manager. You must be energised by ambiguity, view undefined problems as opportunities to build systems, and possess the pragmatic creativity to troubleshoot on the factory floor alongside technicians. You are resourceful and enjoy applying first-principle chemical engineering to real-world, evolving challenges. Key Responsibilities Process Operations & Creative Problem Solving: Own the Ambiguity: Lead the day-to-day operations of our carbon fibre recovery process, treating anomalies and process deviations not as roadblocks, but as puzzles to be solved creatively and autonomously. Pragmatic Troubleshooting: Drive real-time troubleshooting on the floor. When systems break down or data shifts, you are expected to diagnose the root cause and propose actionable, resourceful workarounds to minimize downtime. Resourceful Development: Develop and iterate solvent recovery techniques to ensure economic viability and a low LCA, balancing theoretical ideals with startup resource constraints. Compliance & Safety: Ensure the operation runs safely and in compliance with environmental regulations, designing practical safety workflows for the team. Quality Assurance: Oversee process documentation and testing protocols to validate the properties of recovered carbon fibre, finding lean ways to maintain high standards. Process Optimisation & Adaptation: Continuous Iteration: Monitor and analyse process performance, actively designing experiments to improve efficiency, yield, and cost-effectiveness despite variable feedstock. Feedstock Strategy: Develop and adapt matrix dissolution strategies for diverse and unpredictable batches of carbon fibre composite feedstock. Scalability: Support the scaling of processes from pilot to production, demonstrating the agility to pivot methods as the technology and throughput demands evolve. Documentation for the Future: Build out the missing documentation infrastructure—creating clear records, technical reports, and insights that convert operational chaos into scalable, structured IP. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Bridge R&D and Operations: Partner closely with the R&D team to rapidly transition new materials, techniques, and technologies from the lab to the production floor. Empower the Team: Collaborate with and guide technicians and operators, translating complex, evolving engineering concepts into clear, actionable daily goals. Skills & Experience Background: Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or Process Engineering. Experience: A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience in a manufacturing, commissioning, process optimization, or scale-up role. Startup Mindset: Proven ability to operate effectively within a fast-paced, constrained environment. You have a track record of being proactive, and outcome-oriented. First-Principles Engineering: Strong foundational knowledge in chemical/process engineering (e.g., fluid dynamics, mass transfer, reactor design, separation processes) with the ability to apply these principles to unfamiliar materials like composites. Comfort with Uncertainty: Demonstrated experience stepping into situations with high ambiguity, lack of data, or broken processes, and successfully delivering a structured solution. Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. You must be able to pitch creative engineering solutions to management and clearly direct operators on the floor. Desirable (But Not Required): Experience designing batch/continuous flow reactors or fluid-solid separation equipment. Familiarity with computational tools to model transport phenomena. Prior experience in aerospace, composite processing, or remanufacturing industries.