Fermentation Manager

Spectra Tech, Inc.; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Spectra Tech, Inc. is seeking a Fermentation Manager in Memphis, Tennessee to oversee fermentation operations in a food manufacturing setting. You will lead a team of technicians, optimize yields, and scale production from pilot to commercial volumes.

The role requires 5+ years in fermentation, 2+ years of supervisory experience, and strong GMP knowledge to ensure safety and quality. You will collaborate with R&D and QA while maintaining precise records in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on fermentation experience in a commercial food or beverage facility.
• 2+ years of supervisory experience on a production floor.
• Deep understanding of GMP and food safety regulations.
• Experience operating industrial bioreactors, SCADA/PLC, and analytical lab equipment.

Responsibilities

• Production Oversight: Manage daily fermentation operations, including culture propagation, media prep, inoculation, and harvest.
• Process Optimization: Monitor and adjust temperature, pH, agitation, and DO to maximize yield and consistency.
• Food Safety & Quality: Enforce hygiene, aseptic techniques, CIP/SIP protocols to prevent contamination.
• Compliance & HACCP: Ensure operations comply with FDA, USDA, SQF, and HACCP standards.
• Team Leadership: Recruit, train, schedule, and mentor fermentation technicians and plant operators.
• Data & Documentation: Maintain batch records, draft SOPs, and log data in tracking software.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with R&D for scale-up and QA for final product approval.

Skills

Leadership

GMP knowledge

Team management

Quality mindset

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Food Science or related

Tools

Industrial bioreactors

SCADA/PLC

Analytical lab equipment

Job description

Spectra Tech, Inc. is hiring for a Fermentation Manager in Memphis, Tennessee

Job Description

Spectra Tech, Inc. is seeking a Fermentation Manager to oversee fermentation operations within a food manufacturing environment. In this role, you will manage microbial cultivation processes used to produce high-quality food and beverage products. You will lead a team of technicians, optimize process yields, ensure strict food safety standards, and scale production from pilot to commercial volumes.

Responsibilities

• Production Oversight: Manage daily fermentation operations, including culture propagation, media preparation, inoculation, and harvest.
• Process Optimization: Monitor and adjust critical parameters like temperature, pH, agitation, and dissolved oxygen to maximize yield and consistency.
• Food Safety & Quality: Enforce strict hygiene, aseptic techniques, Clean-in-Place (CIP), and Sterilize-in-Place (SIP) protocols to prevent contamination.
• Compliance & HACCP: Ensure all operations comply with FDA, USDA, SQF, and HACCP standards for food manufacturing.
• Team Leadership: Recruit, train, schedule, and mentor fermentation technicians and plant operators.
• Data & Documentation: Maintain precise batch records, draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and log data in tracking software.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with R&D for product scale‑up and Quality Assurance (QA) for final product approval.

Educational Requirements

Preferred – Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.

Experience & Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years of hands‑on fermentation experience in a commercial food or beverage manufacturing facility.
• Leadership: 2+ years of experience in a supervisory or management role on a production floor.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and food safety regulations.
• Technical Skills: Experience operating industrial bioreactors, automated control systems (SCADA/PLC), and analytical laboratory equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with food fermentation processes, including precision fermentation, alternative proteins, dairy cultures, or brewing.
• Active HACCP, PCQI, or SQF Practitioner certifications.

At Spectra Tech, Inc., our recruitment team is powered by real people in real time—personally reviewing every application with care and integrity. We take pride in identifying and recruiting top‑tier talent while maintaining full alignment with federal regulations, EEOC standards, and fair hiring practices that reflect our commitment to excellence and equity

Spectra Tech, Inc. is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. We are also an E-verify employer.