Amycel®
For more than 45 years, Amycel® has helped shape the way commercial mushrooms are grown. From the proprietary strain genetics behind some of the most widely grown brown mushrooms in the world, to grower-to-grower field support that starts on the farm, mushroom operations around the globe rely on Amycel to perform.
Premium spawn. Trusted supplements. A relentless focus on quality and consistency. That foundation has not changed since 1979. What has changed is scale. Today Amycel serves commercial growers across the Americas and Europe, with production and support on three continents.
Our R amp;D program runs 32 dedicated test rooms focused on new genetics and inputs that help growers get more from every crop. Current priorities include:
- Strains developed for higher yield and reduced water use
- Kodiak, launching Summer 2026, requires up to 50% less water for the same yield
- Spawn carriers engineered to reduce green mold and compost waste
- Delayed-release supplement technology that protects compost and extends flush viability
Visit us at www.Amycel.com.
Monterey Nutra®
Monterey has spent more than 55 years getting to know mushrooms. Refining cultivation methods. Discovering and developing new strains. That depth of expertise is what drives Monterey Nutra.
Our nutraceutical division was built on the science behind our genetics program. The same rigor that produces better spawn produces better extracts. The result: full-spectrum mushroom ingredients with industry-leading potency and purity, optimized for solubility, clean taste, and consistent performance.
We partner with innovators across food, beverage, and wellness to help them formulate better products. Whether you are building a new supplement line or looking for a reliable functional ingredient supplier, Monterey Nutra gives you the tools to do it right.
Certified Organic. Non-GMO. Vegan. Third-party tested.
For more information, visit us https://www.montereynutra.com.
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Monterey and its divisions, Amycel, Spawn Mate amp; Nutra are a portfolio of Paine Schwartz Partners (PSP), who invested in the business in May 2022. PSP is a global sustainable food-chain investment private equity firm based in California and New York. The firm invests in middle-market companies across North America and Europe. PSP is exclusively focused on investing in food and agribusiness companies and brings a collaborative and active management approach to its portfolio companies.
Over the past 20+ years, PSP (together with certain predecessor and related entities) has invested $5.7 billion of equity capital across 87 food and agribusiness investments (including 31 platform transactions), representing over $10.0 billion of total transaction value. Currently, the fund’s portfolio is comprised of 17 food and ag companies and a total of $6.5 billion in AUM. PSP recently held its final closing for Fund VI at $1.7 billion, which was above its original target of $1.5 billion and 17% bigger than its previous $1.4 billion Fund V.
Of any industry, we believe food and agribusiness presents perhaps the greatest opportunity to simultaneously create value and drive positive impact through responsible investment practices. PSP is committed to addressing imminent challenges facing the food and agriculture sector by championing companies that provide innovative solutions around food security, economic growth, human rights, positive environmental impacts and health products. With an intensive focus on Sustainability amp; ESG, we are a proud signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment, the global leading proponent of incorporating ESG factors in investment decisions and processes. To this end, these investments are deeply aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as zero hunger, clean water and sanitation and climate action, among many others. For more information on Paine Schwartz Partners, please visit www.paineschwartz.com.
Why This Role Matters:
The Cleanroom Team Lead is responsible for leading the daily operations of the Cleanroom during the closing shift, ensuring production goals are achieved safely, efficiently, and in accordance with Amycel's quality standards. This hands-on leadership role provides direction, coaching, and support to the Cleanroom team while maintaining strict sanitation, safety, and aseptic practices that are critical to producing world-class mushroom spawn.
Working closely with the Cleanroom Supervisor, you'll coordinate daily production activities, train and develop team members, monitor quality and production metrics, and foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys leading by example and making a meaningful impact in a biotechnology manufacturing environment.
What You’ll Own:
- Lead daily Cleanroom operations during the closing shift while ensuring production, quality, and sanitation goals are achieved.
- Supervise, coach, and support a team of approximately 6–7 Cleanroom Operators.
- Lead by example by working alongside the team in Cleanroom production and sanitation activities.
- Train, mentor, and onboard new team members on Cleanroom procedures, safety requirements, aseptic techniques, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Assign daily work and monitor workflow to maximize efficiency and productivity.
- Verify production schedules, product identification, and production documentation prior to startup.
- Calculate, document, and report daily production metrics.
- Coordinate inoculation, bag filling, sealing, and related production activities.
- Perform and verify quality inspections throughout the production process.
- Collect and document required environmental monitoring samples, including air quality agar plates.
- Perform daily sanitation verification activities, including Chlorine Dioxide PPM testing.
- Ensure inoculation areas, Cleanroom equipment, and production areas are cleaned and sanitized according to established procedures.
- Assemble, operate, disassemble, clean, and prepare production equipment for sterilization.
- Maintain inventory levels of production supplies and notify leadership of shortages.
- Report equipment issues and submit maintenance work requests as needed.
- Promote compliance with GMPs, food safety standards, sanitation procedures, and company policies.
- Maintain a safe working environment by identifying hazards and immediately reporting unsafe conditions.
- Foster teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement within the Cleanroom team.
- Support additional operational projects and departmental needs as assigned.
What’s The Right Fit:
Required
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- 2+ years of manufacturing, food production, biotechnology, laboratory, agricultural, or Cleanroom experience.
- Previous experience leading, training, or coordinating the work of others.
- Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
- Basic computer proficiency; experience with production documentation.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including Saturdays and overtime as needed.
- Ability to work in a Cleanroom environment while wearing required PPE and Cleanroom garments for extended periods.
- Must successfully complete and maintain a respirator medical evaluation and fit test as required for the position. In accordance with OSHA requirements for tight-fitting respirators, employees must be clean-shaven in any area where the respirator seals against the face to ensure a proper seal and safe operation.
- Ability to lift 30+ pounds and frequently stand, walk, bend, reach, twist, and perform repetitive tasks throughout the shift.
Preferred
- Previous lead or supervisory experience.
- Experience in Cleanroom operations.
- Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), sanitation, aseptic techniques, and quality systems.
- Experience with JDE or other ERP systems.
- Bilingual English/Spanish.