Chief Operating Officer

Oryx Executive Search are delighted to be partnering with Kelpi in their search for a Chief Operating Officer. Based in Bristol, B Corp certified Kelpi is a highly innovative start-up with the potential to play a major role in eliminating fossil fuel plastics from packaging.

Kelpi’s groundbreaking technology combines seaweed with natural plant-based oils to create a unique coating material providing a barrier to moisture that could previously only be achieved by fossil fuel plastics. The environmental benefits of Kelpi’s technology are nothing short of game-changing in their significance.

This is an exciting and critical time for Kelpi, and the team is highly motivated to deliver real and sustainable change. Having successfully raised a total of £7.35m, across two oversubscribed seed rounds, the business is now preparing to bring their technology to the global market. To facilitate this progression Kelpi are seeking to appoint a Chief Operating Officer who will play a key role in supporting and guiding the business to full-scale production and beyond.

The Role:

Based at Kelpi’s office in Bristol, the COO will play a fulcrum role in defining and leading Kelpi’s go-to-market strategy. They will be a central figure in building partnership relationships with international packaging manufacturers, establishing Kelpi as the partner of choice for sustainable packaging products.

The Ideal candidate:

Our ideal candidate will be an experienced packaging industry professional and will have a strong technical skillset. They will have detailed knowledge of packaging manufacturing machinery and packaging manufacturing processes, combined with a depth of knowledge in materials characterisation and performance.

Simply put, they will have a deep practical understanding of how the industry operates and how packaging products are manufactured at scale.

The Opportunity:

This is an exciting opportunity to join a business which has the potential to play a significant role in eliminating plastic packaging derived from fossil fuels. The incoming COO will be able to add real value in helping to shape the business, preparing it for this crucial stage in Kelpi’s evolution.

The business has the potential to become a global player in a market that has enormous growth potential, whilst also delivering environmental and sustainability benefits at a planetary level, and the COO will play a meaningful role in facilitating this progression.

The prospect of participating in Kelpi’s Employee Share Ownership Programme also represents a compelling wealth creation opportunity.