Research & Operations Manager

Job Description

Hi there, we're Kynd Hair – Europe's first plant-based hair extensions brand.

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Why plant-based? Regular extensions are made from fossil-based plastics: they can cause skin irritation, are not recyclable, and create millions of kilograms of plastic waste every year.

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Founded in 2023, we're on a mission to bring plant-based, sustainable and yet highly functional products to market. After years of research and development, we're looking for someone to help us grow from startup to scaleup.

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Who we're looking for

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As our R&D & Operations Manager, your main job is to drive our product development, scale up our production and keep our day-to-day operations running. You take our fiber from pilot-scale to launch-ready and beyond: you steer the trials with our research and production partners and work closely with our suppliers, toxicologists and other consultants. And when a batch behaves differently than the last one, you're the person who finds out why.

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Part-time, at least 21 hours per week (more possible, position might turn into full-time), starting 1st of October 2026. This role is based in Berlin and requires you to live here. Day to day we work mostly remotely, with in-person days when needed and more of them during your first weeks.

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Your tasks

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• You drive the development and continuous optimization of our hair fibers together with our founder and research partners
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• You coordinate our fiber development trials with research institutes and production partners, and join them on-site when it matters
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• You evaluate fiber samples, from look and feel to functionality, and coordinate external testing and analysis (e.g. toxicology, biodegradability, skin-friendliness) with our partner labs and service providers
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• You own our supply chain: you source and order raw materials according to the highest health and sustainability standards
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• You keep an overview of our production runs and coordinate timing and deliveries with our compounding, production and packaging partners
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• You set up and own quality management and relevant certifications of our products (biodegradability, skin-friendliness etc.)
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• You own our regulatory compliance (e.g. the Green Claims directive): you track upcoming requirements and initiate the necessary steps
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• You support our patent filings and write grant applications and reports
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Your profile

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• You have a degree in polymer science, materials science, chemistry, chemical or process engineering, or mechanical/textile engineering with a materials focus
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• You have hands-on experience with polymer processing (extrusion, compounding or fibers), whether from industry, your studies/PhD or research projects
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• You work independently: you structure unclear problems, make informed assumptions and drive topics forward
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• You enjoy working in a fast-paced startup environment, you're comfortable taking on tasks that are unfamiliar to you and stepping outside your comfort zone
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• You're a great communicator, very well structured and reliable
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• You're highly proactive, self-sufficient and solution-oriented
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• You're passionate about sustainability and health, and the idea of building a new generation of hair fibers excites you
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• You speak English fluently; good German is a big plus, as many of our partners communicate in German
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Why join Kynd?

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• Real ownership and responsibility: you take over a core part of the company, not a support function – steep learning curve guaranteed.
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• Shape a company, not just a role: as one of our first team members, you help decide how we work, not just what you work on.
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• An important mission: as a Black-owned and woman-led company, we're rooted in sustainability and health, building for a community that deserves better products.
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• Flexible working: hybrid setup, flexible hours, in-person days in Berlin when it matters.
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How to apply

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If you've read this far and ticked (almost) every box, we'd love to hear from you. Send your CV and a short note on why this role fits you to [email protected] by 7 September 2026.

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We value diversity and inclusion and welcome people from all backgrounds. You can read more about Kynd Hair and our background here.