Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Ensure SOPs are adhered to, documentation is filled out fully and correctly.
• Lead by example, embodying strong worth ethic, a level head, and good-natured professionalism.
• Facilitate smooth handoffs of products and samples between Fermentation, QC, and Production teams.
• Work with management to fix errors and improvise solutions.
• Streamline workflow, ensure work areas are kept clean and organized, adapting to changing conditions on the floor while maintaining 5S standards.
• Work closely with both Management and Maintenance teams, as well as contractors as necessary to advance department goals.
• Prepare, batch, sterilize, monitor, and process production-scale fermenters. This includes (but not limited to) media preparation, probe calibration, pH adjustment, batch sterilization/autoclaving, inoculum preparation, down-stream processing, etc. as directed by the Fermentation Supervisor.
• Troubleshoot process and perform basic PM and repairs on equipment.
• Assist with efforts in other departments when needed.
• Maintain impeccable notes and logs.
• Perform basic microbiological tests when the fermentations lab is not available.
• Work well as a team with fermentation, lab, and maintenance personnel.
• Step in for supervisors to lead operators during supervisors’ absence.
• Shift work will be required.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to juggle multiple tasks and prioritize workload.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Ambition to master and improve fermentation department.
• Mindset of responsibility, organization, collaboration, and strong work ethic.

Language Skills: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Computer Skills: To perform this job to a valued degree of success, an individual should have strong knowledge of Microsoft office tools such as Excel, Word, and Outlook. 

Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Supervisory Responsibilities: In the absence of Fermentation Supervisors the Lead Operator will supervise Fermentation Operators.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, climb, use hands to finger, handle, feel, and reach. The employee is occasionally required to sit and talk or hear. The employee must lift up to 50 pounds on a seldom basis. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; and risk of electrical shock. The employee is frequently exposed to extreme cold and extreme heat. The employee is occasionally exposed to vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.