Senior Director of Manufacturing Scale-Up & Engineering Operations

Modern Meadow was founded to address the pressing global challenge: the materials that underpin the way we live, work, and play and that support our well-being are fundamentally unsustainable. We believe it is possible to have it all: high quality, high performing, beautiful and affordable materials that substantially improve sustainability. 

Inspired by Nature. Driven by Purpose. Partners for Action.

Modern Meadow is seeking a highly experienced and execution-oriented Senior Director of Manufacturing Scale-Up & Engineering Operations to lead the commercialization of novel textile and material technologies through a global network of contract manufacturing partners. As Modern Meadow transitions from R&D to full-scale commercial production, this role will be pivotal in ensuring scalable, cost-effective, and sustainable manufacturing processes that support our expanding product portfolio.

Reporting to the CEO and working closely with Process Technology, Product Development, and Supply Chain teams, the Senior Director will drive manufacturing readiness, technical transfer, and ongoing process optimization. This individual will bring deep, hands-on experience in managing real-world production environments, not just theoretical process design, and will serve as a critical link between internal innovation and external manufacturing execution.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Own the strategy and execution for scaling up novel textile and biomaterial production processes from pilot to commercial scale across a network of contract manufacturers, applying deep expertise in manufacturing scale-up and commercialization.
• Oversee end-to-end process design, development, and optimization to ensure quality, consistency, and efficiency, leveraging strong technical foundations in process engineering and a systems-thinking approach.
• Serve as the technical point of contact with CMOs, driving effective vendor management, negotiation, and communication to establish and maintain scalable production capabilities aligned with Modern Meadow’s commercial needs.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, Product Development, and Supply Chain to translate lab-scale innovations into robust manufacturing protocols, including equipment specification, SOPs, and quality standards.
• Build and implement rigorous process validation frameworks, including trial protocols, yield tracking systems, and continuous improvement metrics, rooted in root cause analysis and lean manufacturing principles.
• Lead on-site and remote troubleshooting efforts with CMOs, applying startup agility and big company discipline to drive corrective action plans, minimize downtime, and ensure operational continuity.
• Develop scalable systems for knowledge transfer, documentation, and workforce training, drawing on strong technical writing and instructional capabilities.
• Drive cost-down and margin optimization initiatives through process innovation, material substitution, and operational efficiency, with a strong focus on sustainability and long-term scalability.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety (EHS) standards and regulatory requirements across all manufacturing partners.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to align manufacturing plans with product launch timelines, inventory strategy, and global scale-up roadmaps.
• Provide strategic technical leadership for site selection, capacity planning, and the development of globally scalable manufacturing infrastructure.

Important Competencies:

• Deep expertise in manufacturing scale-up and commercial production
• Strong technical foundation in process engineering, especially in textiles or advanced materials
• Practical experience working directly in or with contract manufacturing organizations.
• Startup agility with big company discipline
• Root cause analysis and continuous improvement mindset
• Effective cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, prioritize, and drive outcomes.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and vendor management skills
• Systems thinker with a focus on scalability and sustainability
• Strong technical documentation and training capabilities

Experience, Skills & Knowledge:

• 12+ years of relevant experience in process engineering and manufacturing operations, including at least 5+ years in a senior leadership role
• Direct, hands-on experience in scaling new processes within contract manufacturing environments (textiles, chemicals, or adjacent industries preferred)
• Demonstrated success in leading scale-up projects from lab/pilot stage to full commercial production
• Advanced degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Textile Engineering, or related field
• Proven experience managing cross-functional teams and external partners
• Proficiency in process modeling, validation protocols, and manufacturing controls
• Experience in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments with a bias for action and ownership
• Strong alignment with Modern Meadow’s mission to drive innovation and sustainability in the materials industry
• Ability to travel up to 25% (primarily domestic with some international travel)

What we offer:

We believe in investing in our employees’ wellbeing and professional growth a Modern Meadow and are pleased to offer comprehensive benefits for the total health of our organization including:

• Competitive compensation that includes equity
• Retirement planning (401k Matching)
• Flexible paid time off
• Winter Break (Company observed reset and recharge, final week of the year)
• Commuter Benefits
• Comprehensive benefit plans covering medical, dental, vision, life, and disability
• Identity Theft and Legal services
• Family services that include fertility benefits and equal paid parental leave

Details of these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment.

Modern Meadow is an equal opportunity employer.
In accordance with anti-discrimination law, we prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.