Reports to: CTO (CTO and CEO are equal in seniority)
Location: U.S. (strong preference for New Jersey hub) | ~35% travel
Phytolon is commercializing natural food colors produced via precision fermentation, delivering clean-label, reliable, and scalable alternatives to synthetic dyes and agriculturally-extracted pigments. We partner with leading multinationals and top investors. We’re at an inflection point: FDA clearance for our first pigments (starting with Beetroot Red, with Prickly Pear Yellow to follow) is expected imminently; EU production capacity is secured; U.S. operations are ramping up in New Jersey.
The Role:
You will build and run Phytolon’s end-to-end supply chain as we move from R&D/pilot to commercial supply. You’ll own procurement, external manufacturing/CMOs, QA/QC, logistics/warehousing, inventory, S&OP, ERP/process scale-up, and risk/contingency planning.
This is a hands-on builder role, you’ll establish core processes, hire and lead an initial team and coordinate closely with teams in Israel, Europe, and the U.S.
Responsibilities:
- Own commercial readiness for first shipments: convert demand into on-time, on-spec supply at target COGS
- Procurement: secure raw materials ,packaging, and key equipment with redundancy and cost discipline
- Manage different product formulations, each requiring tailored procurement and QA/QC approaches
- Manufacturing/CMO management: orchestrate fermentation, downstream, and spray-drying partners in Europe and US, ensuring yield, quality, capacity, lead time, and audit readiness
- QA/QC: establish scalable systems (GMP/HACCP), specification control, batch release, and host customer audits
- Logistics & inventory: 3PL/warehouse oversight, import/export, OTIF performance, cold/ambient requirements, documentation
- S&OP: lead cadence with BD/Product/R&D to translate demand into supply plans and confirm feasible lead times
- ERP & process scale-up: driveERP implementation; design pragmatic workflows and dashboards (costs, inventory, service).
- Risk management: develop contingency plans (alt suppliers/CMOs), track critical paths, and implement rapid issue resolution.
- Team building: hire, coach, and lead a team across Procurement, Logistics/Inventory, QA/QC, and CMO/Production.
Requirements:
- 10–20 years end-to-end supply chain leadership in food ingredients (precision-fermentation strongly preferred)
- Demonstrated CMO oversight and supplier negotiations; has delivered to multinational customers and passed audits
- Proven S&OP ownership and cost/lead-time improvements in lean environments
- QA/QC systems experience (food safety, audit readiness)
- ERP implementation/usage and data-driven planning
- International logistics across EU production and U.S. distribution
- Leadership & Working Style: comfortable with hands-on build and leadership; hires and scales teams
- Communication style: concise, accountable, professional; escalates early, collaborates across time zones
- Thrives in a lean, collaborative culture with high accountability, concise communication, and cross-cultural teamwork
- Operates with independence and focus; able to set their own agenda and deliver results as the primary U.S.-based supply chain leader
Why Phytolon? Shape a first-of-its-kind fermentation supply chain in a mission-driven company, collaborate with world-class partners, and build a high-leverage function at the moment we enter commercial scale.
