​Requisition ID: 57333 
Position Type: FT Permanent 
Workplace Arrangement:  #LI-Onsite 

About Kerry 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 typical hiring range for this role is $26.00 per hour and is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications. This position may also be eligible for a shift differential and/or overtime.  In addition to your pay, Kerry offers benefits such as a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and retirement contribution (all benefits and incentives are subject to eligibility requirements). 

 

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.

​Kerry is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Kerry will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen. Additional information can be found at: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (dol.gov).                              

Beware of scams online or from individuals claiming to represent us. A Kerry employee will not solicit candidates through a non-Kerry email address or phone number. In addition, Kerry does not currently utilise video chat rooms (e.g., Google Hangouts) to conduct interviews. Refuse any request that asks you to provide payment to participate in the hiring process (e.g., purchasing a “starter kit,” investing in training, or something similar). Kerry will not ask you to pay any money at any point in the hiring process with the exception of reimbursable travel expenses. In addition, any payments made by Kerry will be from official firm accounts bearing the Kerry name.      

Recruiter:  
Posting Type: DNI