Lead Fermentation Operator
Novonesis
Summary
As Lead Fermentation Operator (Nights), you hold a key operational and people-leadership role within our 24/7 manufacturing operation. This is a hands-on, operational role with added responsibility for coordination, coaching, and performance support across the shift. Your leadership helps ensure safe operations, high-quality output, and strong team performance.
Job description
The Role & Your Impact
As Lead Fermentation Operator (Nights), you hold a key operational and people-leadership role within our 24/7 manufacturing operation. This is a hands-on, operational role with added responsibility for coordination, coaching, and performance support across the shift. Your leadership helps ensure safe operations, high-quality output, and strong team performance.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead by example with a safety-first, quality-always mindset and set clear expectations for the team.
- Identify, document, and help resolve process non-conformances, equipment failures, and inventory discrepancies using root-cause thinking and lean principles.
- Schedule and assign daily tasks, set priorities, and evaluate results in collaboration with supervisors and planning partners.
- Maintain accurate production, inventory, and process records using electronic MRP systems and document management tools.
- Support audits, training activities, new product trials, and continuous improvement initiatives across fermentation and downstream processes.
What You’ll Need to Be Successful
Must-haves for day-one success:
- High School Diploma or GED.
- Strong safety mindset and comfort working in a regulated manufacturing environment with strict sanitation and documentation requirements.
- Technical aptitude, including ability to read detailed production journals, follow procedures, and perform basic metric math (weights and volumes).
- Basic computer skills for navigating internal systems; experience with SAP or similar systems is beneficial.
- Ability to communicate clearly, provide feedback, and support team performance on a night shift.
Additional Skills & Interests We Value
- Experience in regulated industries such as food, biotech, pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing.
- Forklift or pallet walker experience (training provided on-site if needed).
- Interest in lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or helping train and develop others.
- Curiosity and motivation to deeply understand processes, not just execute tasks.
Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED
- Strong safety mindset and comfort working in a regulated manufacturing environment with strict sanitation and documentation requirements
- Technical aptitude, including ability to read detailed production journals, follow procedures, and perform basic metric math (weights and volumes)
- Basic computer skills for navigating internal systems
- Ability to communicate clearly, provide feedback, and support team performance on a night shift
- Experience in regulated industries such as food, biotech, pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing
- Forklift or pallet walker experience
- Interest in lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or helping train and develop others
Benefits
- 401(k) with up to 9% company contribution
- 3 weeks vacation
- 12 holidays
- 2 weeks Wellness Time
- Health, Dental, Vision & Life insurance
- Healthcare savings account option
- Employee assistance program
- Parental leave
- Tuition reimbursement
- Benefits begin on first day
Company overview
Novonesis is a global biotechnology leader formed in January 2024 through the historic merger of two Danish bioscience icons, Novozymes and Chr. Hansen. As the world's leading biosolutions partner, the company leverages the power of biology to transform how we produce, consume, and live. With approximately 10,000 employees worldwide, Novonesis operates across more than 30 industries, providing innovative biological solutions that address global challenges in food systems, human health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. The company's extensive biological toolbox includes enzymes, microbes, probiotics, and functional proteins that enable customers to create more sustainable products and processes. Novonesis serves diverse sectors including food and beverages, household care, agriculture, animal health, and human health, helping businesses reduce chemical use, lower carbon emissions, and improve resource efficiency while delivering better products to consumers. With a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation, Novonesis is positioned to lead the global biosolutions revolution, driving positive change for both business and society.