Lead Operator-Fermentation

Novonesis; West Allis (WI); On-site; USD 51,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading company as a Lead Operator for Fermentation, where you will oversee operations and drive quality standards in the production environment. This position allows you to lead a dynamic team, promote continuous improvement, and contribute to impactful biosolutions. Ideal candidates will showcase their experience in safety management and team leadership. The role involves a unique work schedule and encompasses various responsibilities ensuring efficiency and quality in production.

Qualifications

• Mid-Senior level experience required.
• Experience in a controlled manufacturing environment preferred.
• Ability to lift up to 55 lbs and manage physical tasks.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations, ensuring quality and safety standards.
• Manage inventory processes, including cycle counts and physical inventory.
• Demonstrate a safety first, quality always mindset.

Skills

Process Management

Team Leadership

Safety Management

Continuous Improvement

Communication

Inventory Management

Job description

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Are you ready for a new beginning?

We need your talent, knowledge and dedication to better our world with biology.

Are you ready for a new beginning?

We need your talent, knowledge and dedication to better our world with biology.

Our purpose points the way

In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It’s how we've gotten so far. And it’s how we'll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless.

We’re here to better our world with biology.

Join us as our new Lead Operator for Fermentation

As a Lead Operator, you will play a key role in guiding and inspiring a dynamic production team. You’ll oversee daily operations, ensure quality and safety standards, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. This position offers an exciting opportunity to lead with impact, collaborate cross-functionally, and contribute to the success of a growing organization. This position will work a 7 on 7 off schedule with hours of 1pm-11pm

In This Role You'll Make An Impact By

• Demonstrating a safety first, quality always mindset and expect the same from others.
• Identifying and document process non-conformances and equipment failures while working collaboratively to mitigate risk, trouble shoot and determine root causes and action plans.
• Managing inventory processes, including cycle counts and physical inventory.
• Utilizing electronic MRP systems to maintain accurate inventory and process records.
• Maintaining and update procedures, process documents, and forms in the document management system.
• Participating in team meetings and champion safety initiatives.
• Taking accountability for team performance by setting clear expectations, providing feedback, and professionally handling difficult conversations to support team growth and development.
• Collaborating with supervisors on performance assessments and provide constructive coaching.
• Scheduling and assign tasks, set priorities, and evaluate results.
• Working with Planning to meet customer demands and optimize capacity planning.
• Promoting continuous improvement by standardizing processes and implementing lean principles.
• Investigating inventory discrepancies and manage sample and discard records.
• Facilitating employee training and create robust training materials.
• Acting as a key contributor to new product development and customer trials.
• Supporting quality and compliance efforts during internal and external audits.
• Leading by example, effectively supporting Operators and Supervisors as needed.
• Maintaining valid certifications and training compliance for duties performed by self and team.
  
  

Working Conditions

This role involves both office tasks and hands-on production work in a controlled manufacturing environment with temperatures ranging from 55-65°F, exposure to wet, humid, dusty, and loud conditions, moving machinery, airborne particles, and caustic chemicals. It requires working in ultra-cold freezer conditions as low as -55°F for short durations with specialized protective gear. PPE, including coveralls, dust masks, hearing protection, safety glasses, gloves, and safety shoes, must be worn as required. The position involves frequent standing, bending, lifting (up to 55 lbs. unassisted, occasionally 100 lbs. assisted), and working in confined spaces with airlock protocols. Flexibility for weekend shifts, extended hours, and rotating between first, second, and third shifts is required.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, talk, hear, lift and/or move materials or equipment up to 55 lbs., and use hands to finger, handle objects, tools or controls. Repetitive bending and lifting of items to stack or dump is also required. Occasionally required to lift up to 100

Application Deadline: 7/4/25

Could our purpose be yours? Then apply today!

At Novonesis we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants. We recommend you not to attach a cover letter to your application. Instead, please include a few sentences in your resume/CV about why you are applying. To ensure a fair recruitment process, please refrain from adding a photo in your resume/CV.

Novonesis is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All employment decisions are based on business needs without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, disability, or veteran status.

Want to learn more?

Learn more about Novonesis, our purpose, and your career opportunities at novonesis.com

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Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Management and Manufacturing

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