Senior Fermentation & Industrial Microbiology Leader

Prairie AquaTech

Volga Township (SD)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 180,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Job summary

Prairie AquaTech Manufacturing, LLC dba Houdek, based in Volga, SD, seeks a Senior Manufacturing Leader for fermentation to own the technical capability, reliability, and continuous improvement of Houdek's commercial fermentation process. You will translate science into practical standards, train the team, and lead cross-functional investigations.

Responsibilities include overseeing seed train, production fermentation, aseptic operations, and contamination control; developing SOPs and training

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in microbiology, biology, biochemical/chemical engineering, fermentation science, biotechnology, or closely related field.
Seven or more years of relevant industrial fermentation, industrial microbiology, biomanufacturing, food/feed fermentation, or related manufacturing experience.
Demonstrated understanding of microbial or fungal fermentation, seed train operations, aseptic technique, contamination control, sterilization, sampling, and process troubleshooting.
Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific concepts into practical manufacturing standards, training, and decision-making tools.
Strong leadership, coaching, communication, analytical thinking, and cross-functional problem-solving skills.
Experience using manufacturing and laboratory data to investigate variation, identify root causes, and improve process reliability.

Responsibilities

Own the technical and operational performance of manufacturing fermentation, including seed train, production fermentation, aseptic/sterile operations, contamination control, and related process controls.
Build and sustain the manufacturing team's knowledge of industrial microbiology, organism physiology, seed train management, fermentation dynamics, critical process parameters, sanitation/sterilization, sampling, and troubleshooting.
Continuously improve a structured technical training and qualification system that transfers knowledge to managers, supervisors, leads, and operators and reduces dependency on individual subject matter experts.
Establish manufacturing standards, process-control strategies, escalation criteria, troubleshooting guides, and operating expectations for the fermentation process.
Monitor and improve fermentation performance using process data and appropriate KPIs, including culture health, contamination events, consistency, cycle performance, rate, yield, and other measures relevant to reliable commercial production.
Lead complex technical investigations and root cause analysis for fermentation deviations, contamination, sterilization concerns, abnormal culture behavior, and recurring process losses; ensure corrective actions are effective and sustained.