Cocoa Biorefinery Project Manager

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Lead pilot development and commercialisation of high-value products from cocoa bean shell and cocoa pod husk side streams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Pilot CBS theobromine/polyphenol and CPH pectin processes.

· Lead feedstock characterisation and yield/purity testing.

· Evaluate extraction, filtration, solvent-recovery, concentration and drying systems.

· Develop food/nutraceutical-grade quality and customer qualification.

· Integrate residues into biogas, biochar and fertiliser pathways.

· Prepare evidence-based commercial scale-up decisions.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND CAPABILITY

· Experience in biorefinery, extraction, food ingredients, pharma ingredients or specialty-chemicals processes.

· Pilot and scale-up experience.

· Understanding of product purity, analytics and solvent-recovery systems.

· Ability to manage technology suppliers and research partnerships.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

· Pectin, polyphenol or alkaloid-extraction experience.

· Food-grade GMP/HACCP knowledge.

· Knowledge of cocoa side streams.

KEY SUCCESS MEASURES

· Verified yields and product purity.

· Qualified customer samples.

· Commercial-scale concept supported by feedstock and offtake evidence.

RECRUITMENT PRINCIPLE We are looking first and foremost for hands-on implementers with a proven record of taking real industrial or infrastructure projects from planning through procurement, construction, commissioning and operation.

The roles are part of an international renewable-energy, circular-economy, biorefining and industrial side-stream utilisation investment programme with Côte dIvoire as the principal implementation country. The portfolio includes both fast-start production projects and later large-scale industrial investments.

LANGUAGE SKILLS A reasonable level of working English is essential. French language skills are a major advantage.

EXPECTED WORKING STYLE

· Practical, decisive and delivery-oriented.

· Fact-based, using measurable results and documented data.

· Prepared to challenge supplier assumptions and verify operating references.

· Able to work in a multicultural environment and build local capability.

· Understands that pilot testing, customer qualification and phased scale-up are central risk-management tools.

EMPLOYMENT AND LOCATION

Employment form, work location and travel requirements will be defined role by role. Some positions may begin in Finland or elsewhere in Europe, but several key roles will require significant presence in Côte dIvoire during implementation phases.