Founder’s Associate – Commercial & Operations Lead (Requires Chemistry Background)
We’re hiring a Founder Associate who wants real ownership — ex‑consultant, strategy or ops background, hyper‑ambitious, and hungry to scale a deep‑tech startup. You’ll work side‑by‑side with the CEO across commercial strategy, partnerships, COO‑level operations and financial planning & projections. Chemistry background required.
Company Overview
A&B Smart Materials is an Oxford University‑based materials science venture developing bio‑based, biodegradable superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) to replace today’s fossil‑based plastics. SAPs are used in diapers, menstrual pads, incontinence products and in agriculture as “water‑storage crystals” that help soil retain moisture. Our mission is to replace synthetic superabsorbents in a $9B market projected to reach $17B by 2035 with sustainable, biodegradable materials.
Role Overview
This high‑ownership, founder‑level role combines commercial partnerships, COO‑style operations management and cross‑functional execution. You will engage directly with global hygiene, chemical and agriculture companies, support co‑development agreements, industrial trials and potential pre‑orders, and build the operational backbone that keeps the company executing at speed. You will also support financial planning, including project budgeting, cost projections and cash‑flow alignment, and prepare clear, convincing slides, reports and partner materials.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead commercial relationships with major hygiene, chemical and agriculture companies, including establishing and managing co‑development agreements, industrial trials, pre‑orders and other structured partnerships.
* Prepare clear, compelling outreach decks, reports and partner materials; confidently present and persuade senior stakeholders.
* Build and manage internal operations and project‑management structures, coordinating deliverables, timelines and cross‑functional workflows.
* Support financial planning, including project budgeting, cost projections and alignment with cash utilization plans.
* Work directly with the CEO on strategy, market analyses and partnership roadmaps.
* Prepare investor updates, board materials and stakeholder communications.
* Contribute to large grant applications by drafting content and coordinating partners.
Qualifications
* Degree in chemistry or chemical engineering.
* 2‑3+ years of experience in consulting, startups, strategy, operations, finance or business development.
* Strong operations management capability (COO‑style): able to structure processes, coordinate teams and keep workstreams moving.
* Excellent communication and presentation skills, confident in producing clear stakeholder‑facing materials and presenting to senior executives.
* Ability to support financial planning, including preparing project budgets, cost projections, technical formulation cost analyses, and contributing to cash‑flow management.
* Strong organizational and project‑management skills with a “get the work done” ownership mindset.
* Confident working with technical teams and comfortable learning complex concepts quickly.
Desired Experience (Nice to Have)
* Worked with Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP) before or/and worked in the hygiene (diapers, menstrual pads, cosmetics) and agricultural industry (soil enhancements).
* Experience working in early‑stage startups or deep‑tech commercialization.
* Familiarity with materials, chemicals, hygiene, agriculture industries.
* Ability to speak additional languages (e.g. German, Mandarin, Japanese) to strengthen engagement with international partners.
Personal Qualities
* Proactive, with a strong sense of initiative and momentum.
* Hungry to succeed, ambitious and eager to take on responsibility.
* A genuine “roll your sleeves up” mentality, no ego, just action.
* Thrives in a work‑hard, play‑hard environment with a high‑performance team.
* Competitive salary — candidates with 10+ years’ experience are welcome; we can support senior profiles.
* Meaningful equity stake to align your success with the company’s journey.
* Comprehensive health insurance and wellbeing package.
* Significant long‑term upside as we move toward industrial trials and commercial rollout.
* 28 days of annual leave.
* Hybrid working (Oxford base, potential London office).
* High autonomy and responsibility from day one, supported by a Business Analyst.
* Ambitious, supportive and high‑performance team culture.
Benefits
* Competitive salary
* Meaningful equity
* Massive upside backed by world‑class climate & deep‑tech investors
* Hybrid working (Oxford base, potential London office)
* 28 days annual leave
* Comprehensive health insurance and wellbeing package
* High autonomy and responsibility from day one, supported by a Business Analyst
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