Manager, Rayong Pilot Facility

About the Role

As Manager, Rayong Pilot Facility, you will play a key role in bridging innovation and production, ensuring successful implementation and optimization of HMO manufacturing processes. Working closely with colleagues in Thailand and Germany, you will contribute directly to delivering high-quality BioSolutions that support human health and nutrition. Based on the Rayong site, you will lead a highly engaged pilot plant team while collaborating with global stakeholders across Novonesis.

The Role & Your Impact

This is a leadership role with a mix of operational, tactical, and strategic responsibilities. You will be responsible for driving pilot plant excellence, supporting production operations, and optimizing manufacturing processes while building a strong, empowered team.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead and develop the Rayong Pilot Plant team with a strong focus on engagement, accountability, and performance.
• Drive optimization of HMO production processes in close collaboration with the pilot plant team.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for production activities in Rayong.
• Plan and allocate resources according to global priorities and business needs.
• Ensure a strong safety culture, including chemical safety and compliance within the pilot facility.
• Manage pilot plant budgets and cost center responsibilities.
• Coach, mentor, and empower employees to support both individual and team development.

What You'll Need to Be Successful

To succeed in this role, you will bring a combination of scientific expertise, leadership capability, and hands-on operational experience.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or equivalent degree in Biotechnology, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• With over 5 years of working experience, with minimum 2 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing, pilot plant, process development, or related environment.
• High-potential individual contributors looking to step into a leadership role are also welcome.
• Strong understanding of fermentation processes and/or downstream processing.
• Experience with process optimization and production support activities.
• Fluent English communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across local and global teams.

Essential competencies

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
• High level of ownership and accountability.
• Results-oriented mindset with a focus on delivering impact.
• Strong scientific and analytical thinking.
• Ability to balance operational execution with continuous improvement initiatives.

Additional Skills & Interests We Value

While not required, the following qualifications would be considered advantageous:

• Native Thai language proficiency.
• Experience working in pilot plants, industrial biotechnology, or food and health ingredient manufacturing.
• Exposure to international and cross-cultural collaboration environments.
• Experience managing production support and troubleshooting activities.
• Knowledge of HMO-related products or biomanufacturing processes.

What We Offer

At Novonesis, you'll join a purpose-driven organization committed to creating better futures through biology.

We offer:

• The opportunity to lead a critical pilot operation supporting innovative HMO products.
• Close collaboration with highly skilled colleagues across Thailand and Germany.
• Exposure to global projects and stakeholders.
• A culture focused on learning, continuous improvement, and scientific excellence.
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• An inclusive and collaborative work environment where people are empowered to make a difference.

Ways of Working

This role is primarily site-based in Rayong, working closely with pilot plant and production operations.

Flexibility is expected to accommodate collaboration with global teams across different time zones.

Approximately 4-6 weeks of travel per year, primarily for collaboration with international partners and stakeholders.