Operations Manager

Job description

The Good Food Institute Korea (GFI Korea) is a branch of the nonprofit think tank the Good Food Institute Asia Pacific (GFI APAC), working to make the global food system better for the planet, people, and animals. Alongside scientists, businesses, and policymakers, GFI’s teams focus on making plant-based, fermentation-enabled, and cultivated meat delicious, affordable, and accessible. Powered by philanthropy, GFI is an international network of organisations advancing alternative proteins as an essential solution needed to meet the world’s climate, global health, food security, and biodiversity goals. GFI is headquartered in the United States and has affiliates in the Asia Pacific, Brazil, Europe, India, Israel, and Japan. GFI Korea will support the growth of the alternative protein ecosystem in South Korea through research, industry engagement, and policy advocacy tailored to the local context.

Please check out GFI’s website, Korean language resources, and 2024 Year in Review to find out more about who we are and what we do.

We are looking for an Operations Manager to oversee and lead the smooth functioning of our internal operations, providing the necessary support to ensure our teams can achieve their goals. Newly established in 2026, GFI APAC’s Korea branch is seeking professionals who can proactively build a strong organisational foundation to drive our growth, working closely with the Director of Strategy and Programs and the broader GFI global network. Join GFI Korea as we build a thriving alternative protein ecosystem. This is your opportunity to make a tangible impact while working in a flexible and dynamic global environment.

How you will make a difference

It’s a critical time for alternative proteins globally, and particularly in Asia, the first region of the world in which cultivated meat became a consumer reality, where traditional forms of plant-based consumption create unique consumer markets, and where governments are moving towards broader regulatory support for the sector.

Reporting to the Director of Strategy and Programs, you will be responsible for the smooth running of our people operations (including talent acquisition and management, team culture, etc.), financial management (including financial planning, bookkeeping, reporting, payroll oversight, etc.), risk management, internal processes and policies, legal compliance, and much more. Ultimately, your strong generalist skillset will ensure we are an efficient, compliant, effective, and inclusive organisation that is committed to a positive employee experience. This position offers flexible remote work arrangements within Korea, with occasional in-person meetings.

Key responsibilities

Administrative operations

• Effectively managing key internal systems, addressing basic technical needs, and coordinating with administrative and operational vendors, as well as the GFI IT team based in the United States.
• Overseeing operational coordination between departments, routine reporting, office rental/management, event coordination, and facilitating safe, efficient travel arrangements.
• Taking the lead on sourcing and contracting external service providers and managing agreements with external vendors. 
• Collaborating with colleagues at GFI’s global affiliates as needed.

Finance and legal compliance

• Overseeing GFI Korea’s budget under the supervision of the Director of Strategy and Programs, to ensure efficient allocation of resources and financial planning. 
• Managing day-to-day financial operations, including close collaboration with GFI colleagues in APAC and the United States on monthly reporting, periodic audits, annual budgeting, cyclical forecasting, and any financial compliance.
• Ensuring compliance with Korean financial and tax regulations in coordination with local tax advisors and legal counsel.
• Managing statutory filings and business registration renewals as needed.
• Coordinating with local legal counsel, U.S.-based legal teams, accounting firms, and tax advisors as needed.

People operations

• Leading people operations processes, talent acquisition, and fostering a work environment that is respectful, supportive, fair, and welcoming to all.
• Overseeing payroll (liaising with third-party support as appropriate), employee records, and development of internal guidelines, SOPs, and policies in compliance with Korean legal requirements and GFI APAC policies to support a healthy and thriving work environment.
• Ensuring effective onboarding, team integration, and ongoing professional development for a fast-paced remote work environment with flexibility to support a hybrid work arrangement. 
• Fostering cross-functional collaboration across teams to align with GFI’s global mission and Korea-specific goals.
• Performing other duties as assigned to ensure the success of GFI Korea’s people operations initiatives.

Who we’re looking for:

We are seeking a highly organised, proactive, and detail-oriented Operations Manager to help build and refine GFI Korea’s operational systems from the ground up. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in operations, administration, finance, and/or people operations, with the ability to navigate complex and evolving workflows in a mission-driven, international work environment. An ideal candidate will have experience that reflects the following:

• At least 5 years of experience in two or more of the following fields: operations, administration, finance, or people operations.
• Strong financial and IT literacy and a willingness to learn new software. Proficiency in Google Workspace, Asana, Salesforce, and Slack is preferred.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Experience in project management, workflow optimisation, vendor management, logistics, contract administration, and/or legal compliance is strongly preferred.
• Fluency in Korean and business-level written and verbal proficiency in English. Conversational English proficiency would be a huge plus.
• A strong sense of ownership and responsibility to drive outcomes, with a strong work ethic and self-motivation.
• A high degree of organisation and efficiency, with a passion for devising and managing effective systems, fixing problems, and ensuring accurate, high-quality administration.
• Ability to work under pressure in complex, often ambiguous environments, including structuring and refining workflows from the ground up.
• Strong strategic thinking and prioritisation skills to focus on the most impactful work.
• Excellent people skills, including high emotional intelligence, effective communication, and teamwork.
• Experience fostering team integration and professional development; overseeing and supporting team performance, ideally in a remote work environment.
• Comfort working remotely and in a rapidly growing and evolving organisation.  
• Strong support for GFI’s philosophy and mission; demonstrated interest in plant-based & other alt proteins, public health, environmentalism, climate change, animal protection, or hunger relief.
• A commitment to GFI’s values: believe change is possible, do the best we can, share knowledge freely, act on evidence, and invite everyone to the table.
• Candidates must have legal authorisation to work in Korea.

We want the best people and we don’t want biases holding us back. We strongly encourage people of every colour, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability to apply. Since we value a diverse workplace, we prioritise an inclusive climate absent of discrimination and harassment during the application process and after you join the team.

The fine print

• Terms of Employment: Full-time, with a three-month probationary period.
• Reports to: Director of Strategy and Programs. Note that as GFI Korea operates as a branch of GFI APAC, the Operations Manager will also coordinate closely with GFI APAC’s Singapore-based operations team.
• Location: Flexible – we will consider applicants from anywhere in Korea. This is a remote role, and you will be able to work from home or anywhere you choose within Korea. The whole GFI Korea team aims to get together in person approximately twice per year for around 1-5 days at a time. Travel costs will be covered by GFI Korea within our travel policy.
• Travel and work hours: Flexible hours with an occasional need to work at night or early morning to coordinate with GFI’s global network.
• Annual Salary: Up to 100,134,787 KRW per annum.
• Benefits: Includes statutory benefits, as well as paid leave per GFI Korea policies.
• Right to work requirements: The successful candidate must, by the start of employment, have permission to work and to be able to travel within Korea. Please note that GFI Korea’s policy is not to sponsor employment visas. The successful applicant will need to confirm they are eligible to work in Korea without requiring GFI Korea’s sponsorship of an employment visa.
• Application process: Please complete this short form, upload your CV and cover letter. Your cover letter (of 1-2 pages) should set out:
  • What motivated you to apply for this role?
  • How do you meet the requirements listed in the job description?
  • Which bit of the job description energises you the most?
  • Beyond the initial screening process, there will be several further rounds. We really look forward to hearing from you!