Head of Product

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We are looking for a Head of Product who can build our antimicrobial product line in agriculture and healthcare. This role works closely with the CSO and reports to the CEO. The Head of Product will be a key partner in defining our commercial and technical strategy as we head into Series A in Q2 2025 - and beyond.

Company

Bactobio is a London-based biotechnology company founded in 2020. We use breakthrough technologies in synthetic biology, next-generation sequencing, and machine learning to cultivate previously unculturable microbes (99% of all microbes). Unculturable microbes constitute the largest bioresource in life. Bactobio's exclusive access allows us to discover novel chemicals from these microbes that can be applied across a variety of markets.

We are impact driven. Microbes produce sophisticated chemistry to protect their ecosystem against invasion. This chemistry can be commercialised to target the most impactful infectious diseases in human healthcare via novel antibiotics and to stabilise global food security through novel natural biodegradable fungicides. We have demonstrated that we can discover novel fungicidal and antibiotic compound structures and are looking to build a team that can test and develop these antimicrobial compound structures - with a view to out

-licence them to major agricultural and pharmaceutical companies at the right development stage.

Role

The Head of Product will help build our product team and work closely with the CEO on formulating a commercial strategy. As a leader, you will streamline internal processes for further compound developments, innovating where possible. Finally, you will help initiate partnership deals with CROs and other commercial partners.

Where the role fits in

Our team consists of 50 scientists and operations experts covering microbiology, automation, analytical chemistry, data science, and bioinformatics. Together, we have used extensive data analysis and a range of bioinformatics approaches to understand how to uniquely culture 1400 novel microbial species (10% of all microbes ever cultured). Once cultured, we screen our new microbes for antimicrobials. We now regularly discover novel antimicrobials across our disease targets.

The product team currently consists of four people, with another four positions to be hired in 2024. The team collaborate closely with our wet lab and technology scientists and are based on-site in London. Here, we have over 1000 sqm of office and laboratory space with high-end equipment spanning microbiology to analytical chemistry, including a dedicated and growing automation suite.

Required profile:

• Grounding in organic chemistry/biochemistry/biotechnology (higher degree preferred)
• Evidence of product development leadership in startups/industry/consulting
• Experience and ability to coordinate large programmes with multiple stakeholders
• Ability to attract and retain talented individuals
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams
• Clear and open communicator

Responsibilities include:

• Create and manage a robust product roadmap by working with CEO and CSO on balancing short-term priorities with long-term strategic goals
• Execute on Bactobio's product development: Work with CEO and CSO on executing product development
• Identify and hire the team: You will be key in identifying, assessing, recruiting, and shaping the product team and empowering them to deliver
• Communicate to key stakeholders, including our investors and board. As Head of Product, you will work with the CEO and Chief of Staff on crafting the narrative for our product development, ensuring this aligns with the wider company vision and goals
• Ensure alignment with cross-functional teams, including R&D scientists, business development, and CROs
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including scientists, engineers, and business teams, to gather requirements and ensure alignment of product strategy with company objectives

Benefits include:

• A real opportunity to make the world greener and safer. We firmly believe we can solve the antibiotic resistance crisis.
• The opportunity to be a leader at a seed company through a Series A funding round. The company has grown to >50 people and >£50 Mn valuation in 4 years, while building a talented team and surrounding them with prominent and supportive investors. We want you to join us in taking the next step
• Competitive starting salary & equity package
• The chance to be part of a fun multicultural group of kind and ambitious people that are impact
  driven
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays + enhanced Sick Pay
• Weekly team activities including board games, sports activities, and socials on Fridays
• Access to 1000s of training courses through Udemy, with an allowance for both personal
  development and work-related training
• Brand new, modern labs in Central London with dedicated office space, large balconies and 360'
  views of the London skyline
• Flexible start and finish times within the company's core hours to fit your preferences
• Diverse team of colleagues (check out our website to meet us)