Chief Operating Officer - WaterTech Startup

Context

Aqvita SRL (Brussels, Belgium) is a WaterTech startup with patented technology that transforms tap water into mineral-rich functional water containing calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonates, without using plastic bottles or pills. Founded by a chemical engineer with over 20 years of experience in the water industry, Aqvita holds multiple patents and was recently selected among the Top 50 Planet-First Startups by the Sustainable Innovation Council at UC Berkeley. The company was also recognized by the EIT Food Accelerator Network, a leading European reference in food innovation. Aqvita is scaling both B2B and B2C channels across Europe and the Middle East.

Missions

• Take full ownership of Aqvita's operational engine from raw materials to delivered product.
• Manage the entire supply chain through external partners and subcontractors, as Aqvita does not own production infrastructure.
• Source raw materials and negotiate with suppliers for mineral compounds and packaging.
• Coordinate production with external manufacturers and contract fillers.
• Manage quality control, food-grade certifications, and compliance documentation.
• Set up and optimize delivery logistics for both B2B and B2C customers.
• Act as the single point of contact for all subcontractors and production partners.
• Manage operational budgets and optimize cost efficiency across the supply chain.
• Maintain traceability, batch records, and specifications for B2B clients.
• Support future product range expansion and international market entry, with a focus on the Middle East.

Working Conditions

• Stand-alone role reporting directly to the Founder & CEO.
• Compensation package open to negotiation (Freelance, FTE, Options).
• Location: Brussels, Belgium.
• Opportunity to join a mission-driven company with validated technology, growing revenue, and international expansion plans.

1. Minimum 3-5 years of proven relevant experience in operations within the food, water, beverages, or dietary supplements industry
2. Hands-on operator who has managed production, quality, and supply chain, not just reported on it
3. Autonomous and self-organized: plans weeks, manages priorities, and delivers without waiting for instructions
4. Comfortable building and managing an industrial supply chain through external partners rather than in-house teams
5. Execution-focused with creativity within operational domain while aligning with founder's strategic vision
6. Fluent in English; knowledge of French, Dutch, Hebrew, or other languages is a plus