Acuicultura Cádiz is recruiting a COO — PRODUCTION MANAGER
Seriola RAS ongrowing facility located in El Puerto de Santa Maria - Spain
Acuicultura Cadiz is developing one of Europe’s most advanced land-based RAS facilities for production of Seriola dumerili (Greater Amberjack) in Puerto de Santa María, Spain.
The company is controlled by Kingfish Norway, which also controls Futuna Blue — a leading Mediterranean broodstock and juvenile production company with extensive experience in Seriola dumerili production and genetics.
Acuicultura Cadiz is entering an exciting operational phase, with startup and ramp-up of a modern marine recirculating aquaculture system designed for continuous premium fish production. The facility is the first step in a long-term growth plan to become one of Europe’s leading Seriola producers.
We are now seeking an experienced and highly motivated COO - Production Manager to take a leading role in building and running the operational core of the company from day one.
The Role
This is a dual-responsibility position. As COO, the candidate will be second-in-command at Acuicultura Cadiz, with overall operational responsibility for the company alongside the CEO. As Production Manager, the candidate will lead the biological and operational performance of the RAS grow-out facility hands-on.
The role reports directly to the CEO.
The COO — Production Manager will work closely with the Technical Manager (RAS Manager), the Administrative Manager and Sales, and will play a central role in shaping how the company operates as it scales. This is a rare opportunity to take on both strategic operational leadership and direct production responsibility in a pioneering European aquaculture project.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership (COO)
- Serve as second-in-command and act on behalf of the CEO when required
- Take overall operational responsibility for the facility across production, technical, and administrative functions
- Contribute to strategic planning, KPI frameworks, and company-wide performance reporting
- Lead operational readiness for startup and ramp-up phases
- Build and develop the operational team as the facility grows
- Collaborate closely with the Administrative Manager and Technical Manager
Production Management
- Lead and coordinate daily fish production activities within the RAS facility
- Supervise and develop fish technicians and operational staff
- Monitor fish welfare, appetite, growth, mortality, biomass development, and stocking densities
- Optimise feeding strategies and biological performance
- Coordinate grading, fish transfers, and harvest
- Monitor and interpret water quality parameters together with the Technical Department
- Ensure implementation of biosafety and fish welfare protocols
- Establish and document operational routines and standard procedures as the facility scales up
- Participate in commissioning, startup optimisation, and ongoing operational development
Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aquaculture, Marine Biology, Fish Health, or similar
- Minimum 5 years of relevant aquaculture experience, including production management
- Demonstrated leadership experience at management level in an operational environment
- Experience from land-based RAS systems is highly preferred
- Experience with marine species production is a major advantage; knowledge of Seriola dumerili specifically is a strong plus
- Strong understanding of fish welfare, water quality, and biological production in saltwater environments
- Ability to operate at both a strategic and hands-on level
- Fluent in English and Spanish (written and spoken)
Location: Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, Spain
Application
Please submit your CV and application in English to:
