COMPANY DESCRPITION
At Genomines, our mission is to pioneer a new era of sustainable metal production by farming plants that hyperaccumulate metal. Through synthetic biology and cutting-edge technology, we harness the power of nature to create plants that can farm for metals while decontaminating soils and creating cleaner lands for agriculture. Our ultimate goal is to become the world's first carbon-negative nickel producer, using sustainable, eco-friendly methods to extract the valuable resources our society needs for the energy transition.
Genomines GmbH, Genomines’ German subsidiary, is responsible for managing key commercial relationships and advancing our downstream processing knowledge for the transformation of our plants into metal-rich commercial products.
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Processing Manager will be responsible for the post-harvest thermal processing (TP) systems, which include rotary kilns (RK) and supporting electricity generation systems. The role requires expertise in process engineering, materials science, thermodynamics, and project execution, with strong collaboration across R&D, operations and suppliers, and IP teams.
The Processing Manager will report directly to the Head of Operations, a former CEO in the mining industry with 15+ years of experience leading production, engineering, procurement, safety & HR teams.
The Processing Manager works closely with engineering contractors, equipment manufacturers and operators as well as our agriculture and commercial teams to ensure the design, installation and operation of the company’s processing facilities and the production of the company’s core commercial products. This includes managing processing pilot trials with various suppliers, optimizing Genomines’ biomass feed requirements, and developing Capex & Opex requirements to anchor the company’s business plan. The role involves both strategic oversight and hands-on implementation.
RESPONSIBILITIESTHERMAL PROCESS LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENTLead the technical oversight of Genomines’ post-harvest thermal processing systems, including rotary kilns and energy recovery processesGuide partner engineering teams and processing suppliers in aligning thermal parameters with the company’s product specifications and commercial targetsEnsure process documentation (PFDs, P&IDs, specifications) is developed, updated, and aligned with strategic goalsSupport high-level review of thermal and combustion modelling conducted by partners or contractors to validate design assumptions and energy performance
PILOT TRIALS & PROCESS VALIDATIONCoordinate and supervise biomass thermal processing trials with selected engineering and processing companiesEvaluate trial performance, identify key risks and opportunities, and define operational requirements for future scale-up Lead the development of operating protocols (start-up, shutdown, safety, control) based on learnings from pilot activitiesAct as primary liaison between Genomines and external processing partners during trials and validation phases
STAKEHOLDER & PROJECT MANAGEMENTManage relationships with equipment manufacturers, engineering contractors, and service providers involved in processing developmentOversee the planning, budgeting, and execution timelines of third-party processing programsEnsure that technical milestones and deliverables from suppliers are met and integrated into Genomines’ broader operational roadmapSupport contract review and technical input into equipment and service agreements
PROCESS OPTIMIZATION AND COMMERCIAL READINESSTranslate pilot learnings into process recommendations to inform biomass specifications, throughput expectations, and site infrastructure requirementsAlign thermal processing outputs with feedstock variability and commercial product quality standardsSupport the Head of Operations in assessing Capex/Opex scenarios, cost drivers, and risks related to processing scale-upContribute to internal performance tracking systems and define key metrics for future industrial rollout
CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION & IP SUPPORTCollaborate closely with R&D, agriculture, engineering, and commercial teams to align processing parameters with upstream and downstream operationsContribute to intellectual property development by providing technical inputs for patent filings or trade secret strategies, in collaboration with the CTO and IP counselProvide processing inputs to investor documents, partner discussions, and internal reviewsQUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCEMaster’s degree or Ph.D. in Thermal Engineering, Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, or related fieldApprox. 10 years of experience in thermal processing, metallurgy - roasting / calcination, biomass energy, or industrial heat recovery systemsProven track record of delivering complex technical projects, from design to operational deployment, on time and within budgetExperience in launching a first-of-its-kind pilot project or industrial installation is a strong plusFluent in English