Process Science Tech Days - Rochester, MN
Requisition ID: 57333
Position Type: FT Permanent
Workplace Arrangement: #LI-Onsite
Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.
About the role
Our Rochester, MN location is part of our Applied Health and Nutrition Division and specializes in fermented ingredients for products related to the bio-science industry. Our team is proud of the work they do and have a focus on clean label or natural products ensuring freshness.
2402 7th Street NW Rochester, MN 55901
Pay Rate: $26.00/hr.
1st shift *** Must be flexible to cover night or weekend shift
The Inoculation Laboratory Tech will work in the Process Science Team in partnership with relevant Fermented Ingredient operations, manufacturing, process engineering, and quality to manage, develop and optimize inoculum processes for multi-functional fermented food ingredients and provide oversight of production culture collection maintenance. This will be achieved through use of strong foundations in microbiology/fermentation science to maintain and coordinate microbial seed strains for Production use, develop inoculation schedule based on production, managing inoculation of seed trains, making decisions and providing guidance around analytical monitoring (GC, HPLC, etc.) of seed trains, microbiological testing seed trains for healthy growth/contamination, monitoring/upkeep of production culture bank, designing and conducting experiments to support continuous improvement and efficiency of seed train, and other self-directed independent projects.
Key responsibilities
1. Perform the day-to-day activities of the inoculation lab.
2. Direct off-hours technician coverage; occasionally self-provided off hours coverage.
3. Ensure uninterrupted supply of contaminant-free, robust inoculum to meet all Production needs.
4. Demonstrate flexibility and resourcefulness in response to Production schedule changes.
5. Train QC technicians to all inoculation laboratory coverage requirements.
6. Develop work instructions for all task-oriented inoculation laboratory and culture collection maintenance activities.
7. Make decisions and provide guidance around analytical data and test results (GC, HPLC, etc.) for monitoring of seed trains. Elevate as appropriate to manager.
8. Lead root cause investigations and implement solutions for corrective actions related to seed train, inoculum, and contamination events utilizing standard RCA methods.
9. Maintain culture collection, including primary ampoule bank, back up strains, production working stock; including associated purity testing.
10. Cross train self and technicians on the media preparation laboratory providing coverage as necessary, including some off hours/weekends.
11. Design and conduct experiments for efficiency, more robust seed trains, and cost savings initiatives.
12. Drive Continuous improvement of current collection and inoculum practices.
13. Utilize design of experiments, current scientific, and aseptic techniques.
14. Understand and practice basic hygienic design principles.
15. Competent in bench top microbiology, aseptic technique, plating, transfer & culture maintenance.
16. Takes complete ownership of the inoculation laboratory, responsibility for equipment calibration and maintenance, ordering supplies.
17. Coordinate work requests, repairs, and maintenance activities of the inoculation laboratory.
18. Support experimental seed trains for management of change (MOC), production scale ups and commercialization.
19. Utilize the MOC process for all improvements and changes in the inoculation laboratory and its processes/procedures.
20. Ensures proper documentation is implemented for all inoculation laboratory activities.
21. Strives for high standards, seeks innovative solutions, drives continuous improvement of products and processes and demonstrates a high degree of intellectual curiosity.
22. Protect Intellectual Property of proprietary strains and procedures.
23. Employ efficient time management.
24. Work directly with Process Science and Operations teams to solve technical issues that may arise.
25. Must be able to stand for long periods of time in a laboratory setting and lift 50 pounds.
26. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
27. Strong leadership, management and interpersonal skills.
28. Ability to set priorities and work independently, manage projects, and drive results.
Qualifications and skills
What you'll need to be successful and safe:
EDUCATION: BS in Microbiology, Food Science, or a related technical degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Microbial Physiology, Biochemistry, Biology or another technical related field is preferred but not essential.
EXPERIENCE: Minimum 1-5 years of experience in fermentation science, industrial microbiology or food industry is preferred, relevant internship minimum. Experience working in GMP and manufacturing environment. Food manufacturing experience preferred.
SKILLS: Strong microbiology background, aseptic techniques, experience in culture transfers and culture collection maintenance, bacterial fermentation, writing/developing and following work instructions, attention to detail, multitasking, following a schedule, communication and interpersonal interaction, verbal and written communication. Knowledge of Food Safety requirements. Knowledge of Microsoft office. Self-directed and requires the ability to work without close, direct supervision utilizing good organizational techniques.
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