Back to jobs

Senior Fermentation Operations Leader

Union, South Carolina, United States

We’re on a journey to Grow the Future of Materials. How? By unlocking the unique properties of mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms. Our patented technology, Fine Mycelium™, unleashes a new class of materials crafted from nature, engineered for performance, and built for a resilient future.We’re seeking passionate learners to join us in pioneering a materials revolution and creating an epic place to work. MycoWorks offers competitive equity and benefits programs to support the health, well-being, and financial empowerment of all our employees.We root our relationships with our partners and one another in our core values: Be Mycelial, Cultivate Quality, and Grow the Future, and we're committed to building a diverse team and an inclusive environment where all employees belong. Women, gender expansive individuals, people of color, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Summary

The  Senior Fermentation Operations Leader will play a crucial role in the successful operation of MycoWorks’ new plant. This position ensures the biological health and operational integrity of mycelium-based production processes. The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in industrial fungal operations, demonstrating a strong understanding of fungal mycology, environmental monitoring, aseptic practices, and data analysis. This role will involve developing and implementing protocols and systems to maintain optimal biological conditions.

This position will be instrumental in setting up and validating biological systems and processes. This includes collaborating with Engineering, Quality and Manufacturing teams to ensure seamless integration of biological aspects into overall plant operations. The role demands strong leadership to manage and mentor a dedicated team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Additionally, the role involves troubleshooting biological issues, implementing corrective actions, and ensuring all practices comply with internal and external standards. This position requires a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for efficiency improvements and leading initiatives to enhance the scalability and sustainability of biological operations. The successful candidate will work closely with the Operations Leader and other department leads, contributing to the overall success and growth of MycoWorks.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead the Biological Management function, focusing on continuous improvement in biological processes.
  • Ensure the biological health of the plant by monitoring environmental conditions and implementing aseptic practices.
  • Oversee cleaning and sanitization protocols to maintain a sterile production environment
  • Develop and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for biological operations.
  • Develop and implement data monitoring and reporting systems to track biological performance and identify areas for improvement.
  • Prepare regular reports on biological health and present findings to plant management and other stakeholders
  • Coordinate with the Operations Leader to integrate biological management practices with overall plant operations.
  • Collaborate with the Operations Leader and other department leads to integrate biological management practices with overall plant operations including the development of validation protocols.
  • Coordinate training programs for new hires and ongoing education for existing staff on best practices in fungal mycology and aseptic techniques.
  • Manage and mentor team members, providing guidance and support to ensure high performance and professional growth.
  • Conduct regular inspections and audits of biological systems to ensure compliance with internal and external standards.
  • Investigate and resolve any biological issues that arise, implementing corrective actions as needed.

Qualifications:

  • 5-10 years of experience in industrial fungal operations, with a strong understanding of fungal mycology.
  • Must have manufacturing experience, working closely with Plant Operations teams.
  • Proven expertise in environmental monitoring, aseptic practices, and cleaning & sanitization protocols.
  • Experience in data monitoring and reporting, with the ability to analyze data and implement improvements.
  • Technical proficiency in laboratory equipment and bioprocessing technologies.
  • Knowledge of bioreactor operations and fermentation processes.
  • Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and develop a team.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
  • Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

Physical Demand

Frequency

Stand or Sit (stationary position)

Frequently to Constantly

Walk (move/traverse)

Occasionally to Frequently 

Dexterity (use hands/fingers to handle/feel)

Frequently to Constantly

Climb (stairs/ladders) or Balance

Seldom to Occasionally

Stoop, Kneel, Crouch, Crawl

Seldom to Occasionally

Talk/Hear (communicate/convey/discern)

Frequently to Constantly

See (observe/identify/inspect/perceive/assess)

Frequently to Constantly

Lift, Carry, Push, Pull (move/transport/install/remove)

Up to 25 lbs, Occasionally to Frequently / Up to 50 lbs, Seldom to Occasionally

Exposure to Work Environments

Working near loud machinery, Occasionally to Frequently 

 

MycoWorks offers world class benefits and compensation programs to support the health, well-being and financial empowerment of our employees. Our benefits include:

  • Medical, Vision and Dental plans at no cost to employees
  • Equity
  • Optional insurance coverage for partners and dependents
  • FSA Accounts
  • Free Personal Health Advocate
  • Generous PTO policy
  • Paid parental leave
  • Paid holidays beyond the traditional
  • 401(k) program

MycoWorks may contact you via text message regarding your application for this or similar opportunities. You can always text STOP to opt out.

This employment is contingent upon receiving applicable background check results, including drug screening, that meet standards based upon the job duties and business necessity, as well as passing a degree or license verification required for the position.

#LI_JS

In our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment, we recognize the importance of accommodating individual needs. If you require any specific accommodations during the application or interview process, please feel free to let us know. We are dedicated to facilitating a comfortable and accessible experience for all candidates, and will work with you to ensure your needs are met.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in MycoWorks’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.