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About Meatly
Meatly is a UK-based cultivated meat biotechnology company on a mission to make real meat, without animals. We take cells from a single chicken egg — just once — and use them to produce real, nutritious meat here in the UK, giving our pets the meat they need and crave without ever hurting another animal. We are the world's first company to receive regulatory approval to sell cultivated meat for pet food in the UK, and we are building the technology and production capabilities to scale that breakthrough globally.
Role Overview
A senior operational leadership role for a bioprocessing expert who can build and run world-class production operations under the scientific direction of the CSO — translating breakthrough research into consistent, scalable, and compliant manufacturing.
The Head of Production is responsible for establishing and leading all production operations at Meatly. Reporting to the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), you will work within Meatly's integrated scientific and operational structure — taking strategic direction on production priorities and technology from the CSO, while owning the day-to-day execution of all bioprocessing, engineering, facilities, and data and automation activities.
This reporting structure reflects the deeply science-led nature of Meatly's production processes. Cultivated meat manufacturing is not yet a standardised discipline: production and R&D are tightly coupled, and the Head of Production must have a good scientific understanding as much as an operational manager. You will work in close partnership with the Head of R&D to ensure seamless technology transfer, and collaborate across the business on regulatory submissions, cost modelling, and investor communications.
This is a critical hire — the person who will build Meatly's production function from the ground up, scale it with rigour, and help define what best-in-class cultivated meat manufacturing looks like.
Key Responsibilities
Bioprocessing Operations
- Lead and own all production activities (seed train, bioreactor operation, harvesting), operating within strategic priorities set by the CSO
- Develop, optimise, and document scalable, reproducible production processes and SOPs, in collaboration with R&D
- Oversee transition of processes from lab to pilot and, in time, commercial scale
- Manage capacity planning and resource allocation to meet production schedules, and drive process improvements to enhance yield, cost-efficiency, and consistency
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Technology Transfer & R&D Interface
- Serve as primary production interface with the Head of R&D, establishing clear criteria and documentation standards for handover of research outputs into production-ready processes
- Contribute production-side insight (scalability, cost, operational constraints) to the R&D roadmap, and participate in joint review meetings to align on priorities and timelines
Quality & Compliance
- Develop and maintain a quality management framework aligned with the CSO's philosophy and the company's regulatory obligations (FSA/FSS Novel Food Regulation, H&S legislation)
- Maintain production records and documentation to support regulatory submissions and audits, and lead readiness activities for future inspections or certifications
Facilities & Equipment
- Own production facilities and equipment (bioreactors, perfusion, filtration), including preventive maintenance, equipment qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ), and calibration
- Lead planning and execution of new capability installations as Meatly grows, ensuring the working environment meets H&S standards with current risk assessments
Team Leadership
- Lead, manage, and develop the production team — recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and technical mentorship
- Foster a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement, and define team structure/hiring needs as operations scale, in consultation with the CSO
Supply Chain & Budget
- Manage key supplier relationships and own the production budget, tracking spend and identifying cost reduction opportunities without compromising quality
- Develop supply chain resilience strategies (dual-sourcing, buffer stock) with the supply chain team, and contribute to production cost modelling/techno-economic analysis for commercial planning and investor reporting
Requirements
Essential
- Degree in bioprocess engineering, biochemical engineering, biotechnology, or a closely related discipline; advanced degree (MSc/PhD) preferred
- Substantial experience (typically 7+ years) in bioprocessing, biomanufacturing or fermentation, with a clear track record of operational leadership
- Deep practical knowledge of bioreactor or fermentation systems at pilot or industrial scale
- Demonstrated experience establishing or scaling bioprocessing operations, including SOP development and process validation
- Strong scientific credibility — able to engage as a peer with R&D scientists and contribute meaningfully to process development discussions
- Strong understanding of quality management principles and experience operating within a regulated or semi-regulated production environment
- Proven ability to lead and develop technical teams
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to report upward to a CSO-level effectively
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Desirable
- Direct experience in cultivated meat, cell-based food production, or the broader alternative protein sector
- Experience working under or alongside a CSO or equivalent scientific leader in a biotech company
- Experience working in an early-stage or venture-backed biotech environment
- Knowledge of techno-economic analysis (TEA) or cost-of-goods modelling for bioprocesses
- Experience with facility design, fit-out, or commissioning projects
- Familiarity with relevant quality standards (ISO 9001, ISO 22000, or equivalent) and their application in a biotech context
What we offer
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
- Equity participation in a high-growth, mission-driven company
- 24 days annual leave plus 8 UK bank holidays
- Learning & development budget, including support for relevant training, courses, and conferences
- Access to well-equipped laboratory and bioprocessing facilities
- The opportunity to develop novel bioprocesses that have never been built before, at the company leading the world in cultivated meat
- Pension contribution and private health insurance
Meatly is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
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