Fermentation Technician I

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Fermentation Technician is responsible for preparing, operating, and cleaning fermentation vessels in accordance with the company’s established procedures. This position will be responsible for setting up, cleaning, operating, and maintaining machinery, performing routine analysis, data logging, and troubleshooting, ultimately ensuring that the generated material and data meet the company’s established quality standards. The Fermentation Technician is also responsible for training other production technicians on fermentation monitoring techniques. The position follows standard work methods and practices safe work habits to ensure production is as efficient and safe as possible.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Follow established processes and procedures to ensure consistency in operations and quality assurance standards, and to ensure that production demands are met.
2. Set up, operate, and monitor microbial fermentation processes from start to finish, assist/coach other operators.
3. Perform routine laboratory analysis.
4. Set up, operate, maintain, and clean machinery, including mixing equipment, pumping systems, separation equipment, and laboratory analytical equipment.
5. Maintain a clean and safe work area.
6. Adjust, troubleshoot, and repair equipment as necessary to maintain and meet production requirements (i.e., pumps, valves, piping, etc.).
7. Measure and prepare raw materials to be used in production processes and batch materials into production vessels.
8. Investigate process nonconformance and identify manufacturing and quality deficiencies.
9. Maintain accurate production records, machine logs, and data logs.
10. Maintain a high degree of attention to equipment and product

QUALIFICATIONS

• High School diploma or equivalent
• 2 or more years of experience in fermentation operations or related lab experience
• Ability to work in a production environment, recognizing various sounds, odors, and alarms
• Knowledge of basic chemical and biological safety procedures.
• Good verbal and written communication skills in English
• Communicate effectively, and in a positive and constructive manner, with other departments/team members.
• Must be able to learn to operate machinery systems safely
• Able to meet schedule requirements and work overtime as needed
• High degree of ethical standard, trustworthiness, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• A sense of urgency, determination, and confidence to support company mission.

• Basic knowledge of piping, tubing, and fitting sizes (standard/metric).

• Basic machine maintenance skills: oil & grease machines, ability to change parts, and the ability to use hand tools to repair/calibrate.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position is required to work in a manufacturing environment facility. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to work near moving mechanical parts, chemicals, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and ear protection is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear stand for long periods of time and may engage in climbing or balancing and stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling. The employee regularly lifts and/or moves up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a full-time position.

Work hours will be Tuesday through Saturday, 3:00 pm – 11:30 pm.

This position will require working holidays and overtime as needed.

Tuesday through Saturday, 3:00 pm – 11:30 pm.