Job Description

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.

RESPONSIBILITIES

THERMAL PROCESS LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT

Lead the technical oversight of Genomines’ post-harvest thermal processing systems, including rotary kilns and energy recovery processes Guide partner engineering teams and processing suppliers in aligning thermal parameters with the company’s product specifications and commercial targets Ensure process documentation (PFDs, P&IDs, specifications) is developed, updated, and aligned with strategic goals Support high-level review of thermal and combustion modelling conducted by partners or contractors to validate design assumptions and energy performance

PILOT TRIALS & PROCESS VALIDATION

Coordinate and supervise biomass thermal processing trials with selected engineering and processing companies Evaluate 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 activities Act as primary liaison between Genomines and external processing partners during trials and validation phases

STAKEHOLDER & PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Manage relationships with equipment manufacturers, engineering contractors, and service providers involved in processing development Oversee the planning, budgeting, and execution timelines of third-party processing programs Ensure that technical milestones and deliverables from suppliers are met and integrated into Genomines’ broader operational roadmap Support contract review and technical input into equipment and service agreements

PROCESS OPTIMIZATION AND COMMERCIAL READINESS

Translate pilot learnings into process recommendations to inform biomass specifications, throughput expectations, and site infrastructure requirements Align thermal processing outputs with feedstock variability and commercial product quality standards Support the Head of Operations in assessing Capex/Opex scenarios, cost drivers, and risks related to processing scale-up Contribute to internal performance tracking systems and define key metrics for future industrial rollout

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION & IP SUPPORT

Collaborate closely with R&D, agriculture, engineering, and commercial teams to align processing parameters with upstream and downstream operations Contribute to intellectual property development by providing technical inputs for patent filings or trade secret strategies, in collaboration with the CTO and IP counsel Provide processing inputs to investor documents, partner discussions, and internal reviews

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Thermal Engineering, Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, or related field Approx. 10 years of experience in thermal processing, metallurgy - roasting / calcination, biomass energy, or industrial heat recovery systems Proven track record of delivering complex technical projects, from design to operational deployment, on time and within budget Experience in launching a first-of-its-kind pilot project or industrial installation is a strong plus Fluent in English

TECHNICAL AND OPERATIONAL COMPETENCIES

Hands-on experience in RKs, gasification, or roasting/ calcination systems; previous experiences in recycling, cement or mining as a strong plus Strong knowledge of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics applied to industrial energy systems Familiarity with thermal modelling tools (HSC Chemistry, Facstage, Aspen Plus, etc.) Decent understanding of hydrometallurgy is considered as a strong complementary skill set

SOFT SKILLS

Strong ability to work with cross-functional, international teams High level of integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism Strong organizational and project management abilities Proactive, problem-solving mindset with a hands-on approach Ability to thrive in a dynamic, early-stage startup environment

POSITION INFORMATION

Place of Work:

Remote based in Germany *

Travel:

Travel to company's and suppliers' locations (France, South Africa, Brazil) required (valid passport necessary)