About Wildtype
Wildtype is on a mission to defend Earth’s wild places by inspiring a transition to clean and accessible seafood. We are the first company in the world to commercialize cultivated seafood and are one of two companies in the world selling cultivated foods today. Check out our website to learn more about where to find Wildtype salmon in the wild!
We were founded in 2016 by Aryé Elfenbein, a cardiologist and molecular biologist, and Justin Kolbeck, a former US diplomat who served in Pakistan and Afghanistan, in an effort to solve one of the world’s biggest problems: how to feed a growing population without stripping the earth of its natural resources and biodiversity. Investors include L Catterton, Jeff Bezos, Spark Capital, CRV, Temasek, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Robert Downey Jr.’s Footprint Coalition, among others.
What you will own at Wildtype
Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations across upstream bioprocess and downstream production, establishing operational discipline and predictable production rhythms while remaining nimble through the ambiguity of scaling a first-of-its-kind process
Own daily production schedules and targets, providing clear direction to Team Leads, communicating transparently across shifts, and making independent real-time decisions to keep production flowing
Champion safety culture as a non-negotiable foundation; implement and monitor safety programs, lead incident investigations with detailed root cause analysis, and drive toward zero incidents
Partner with Plant Engineering to optimize equipment reliability, ensure preventive maintenance execution, and lead rapid troubleshooting when issues arise
Build and develop a high-performing team through hiring, coaching, performance management, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
Monitor production KPIs (yield, uptime, on-time delivery, productivity, cost); accurately capture and communicate variances; participate in creative problem-solving to close performance gaps
Ensure compliance with FDA/GMP requirements and SOPs; partner with Quality on deviations and CAPA; drive continuous improvement using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies
What you bring to the table
7+ years manufacturing experience with 3+ years in supervisory roles in bioprocessing, biopharmaceutical, or food manufacturing
Proven ability to build high-performing teams through hiring, coaching, and creating psychological safety
Exceptional independence, critical thinking, and problem-solving; outstanding communication skills upward, downward, and cross-functionally
Strong EH&S leadership with the ability to conduct detailed incident investigations and drive safety performance improvement
Experience partnering with engineering teams to optimize equipment reliability, especially in environments with new or frequently modified equipment
Working knowledge of FDA/GMP requirements, deviation management, CAPA processes, and Netsuite preferred
Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma experience; hands-on leadership style; flexibility to work varied hours including occasional weekends and off-shifts
What we’ll teach you
Wildtype's proprietary bioprocess platform for cultivating salmon cells at the largest scale in the world
How to lead in a fast-moving, interdisciplinary team working at the leading edge of multiple fields
Impact Plan
Within 1 month you will have immersed yourself in our operations through extensive floor time, understanding our production flow and where challenges exist. You will have built relationships with your Team Leads and cross-functional partners. You will have defined your professional development goals for the next twelve months.
Within 3 months you will have assumed full accountability for daily operations, independently making decisions and leading production meetings. You will have implemented operational systems that create rhythm and discipline while remaining flexible. You will have established partnerships with Engineering and EH&S and begun coaching your Team Leads on operational excellence and safety leadership.
Within 6 months you will be the operational heartbeat of the plant. Your scheduling will balance demand, capacity, and resources while adapting to changes. You will have established KPIs and be driving improvements in safety, uptime, delivery, and productivity. Your crew of Team Leads will manage operations independently. You will be recognized as a critical thinker and operational problem-solver.
Within 12 months You will have established our facility as a model of operational excellence. Your crew will consistently deliver targets while maintaining the highest safety and quality standards. You will have demonstrated the rare ability to create discipline and efficiency while remaining flexible through startup volatility. Your operational insights will shape production strategies as Wildtype rapidly scales distribution.
Location: this is an onsite role based in San Francisco.
Wildtype is committed to building a diverse workplace spanning multiple dimensions including race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity, and veteran status.
