Production Manager, Primary Production – Paimio
25.4.2026Apply latest by 8.5.2026
Työpaikkakuvaus
Location: Paimio and Mynämäki (Western Finland), on-site
Type: Full-time
Start date: As soon as possible
Language skills: Excellent English verbal and written communication skills; Finnish skill is a strong advantage.
About us
KÄÄPÄ Biotech is Europe’s leading and largest functional mushroom provider. We develop and produce science-based, mushroom-powered ingredients and products for food, health, and well-being, with a strong focus on quality, transparency, and sustainability.
Our production covers the full value chain from mushroom cultivation to further processing, enabling us to ensure high standards from raw material to finished ingredient. As demand for functional mushrooms continues to grow globally, we are scaling our primary production and building the systems, processes, and teams needed for industrial-level cultivation.
At KÄÄPÄ Biotech, our culture is hands-on, ambitious, and driven by continuous improvement. We value practical problem-solving, collaboration, scientific curiosity, and a strong sense of ownership. By joining us, you will play a key role in developing and scaling a unique biological production platform with real impact in the health, wellness, and nutrition industries.
About the role
We are looking for a Production Manager to lead our primary production of functional mushrooms. In this role, you will be responsible for the end-to-end cultivation process, ensuring high-quality raw materials for further processing into health-promoting products.
You will play a key role in scaling our production, developing cultivation processes, and building a strong, motivated team. This is a hands-on leadership position at the intersection of biology, food production, and industrial scaling.
Key responsibilities
Production & Cultivation
- Lead and manage mushroom cultivation operations (inoculation, incubation, growing, harvesting)
- Optimize growing conditions (temperature, humidity, CO₂, lighting)
- Plan production in alignment with demand and downstream processing
- Manage cultivation cycles, yields, and capacity
Team Leadership
- Lead, recruit, and develop the primary production team
- Plan shifts and ensure smooth daily operations
- Foster a positive, safe, and high-performing work environment
Quality & Compliance
- Ensure consistent product quality and contamination control
- Maintain full traceability and batch records
- Ensure compliance with food safety and organic production requirements
- Contribute to HACCP and FSSC22000 systems
Process Development
- Improve cultivation efficiency, yield, and quality
- Test new strains and methods
- Solve scale-up challenges from pilot to industrial production
- Collaborate closely with R&D and extraction production
Facilities & Equipment
- Develop and maintain cultivation facilities and systems
- Coordinate with external partners (HVAC, maintenance, hygiene, pest control)
- Participate in equipment sourcing and investments
Planning & Cost Control
- Monitor and optimize production costs
- Forecast raw material and production needs
- Contribute to budgeting
What we are looking for
- Experience in food production, agriculture, biotechnology, or similar field
- Strong understanding of biological processes or controlled environment cultivation
- Experience in mushroom cultivation and especially Lion’s mane is considered a huge advantage
- Proven leadership experience in production or operations
- Experience with quality systems (e.g. HACCP, FSSC22000, GMP) is a plus
- Problem-solving mindset and ability to scale operations
- Hands-on, proactive, and structured way of working
Why join us?
- Be part of building and scaling a cutting-edge functional mushroom production
- Opportunity to scale a unique biological production system
- Work in a fast-growing, impact-driven company
- Key leadership role with real influence on production and strategy
How to apply
Please submit your CV and a short cover letter explaining your interest in the role, why you are applying and why you believe you are a good match for the specific position to: careers@kaapabiotech.com. Kindly include ”Production Manager, Primary Production application” in the subject line.
Applications should be submitted by 8th May, 2026, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
We look forward to hearing from you!