Weekend Fermentation Lab Supervisor

IFF; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 66,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

IFF, a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences, is seeking a fermentation technician for the Palo Alto onsite shift. You will oversee a weekend team, perform fermentation support tasks, and collaborate with cross-functional groups on development and manufacturing projects.

The role emphasizes safety, quality, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced biotech environment; a technical degree and lab experience are required, with a schedule Fri–Sun, 6:00

Qualifications

• Associates of Science or bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Biological Engineering or related field.
• Fundamental understanding of fermentation, bioprocessing or biotechnology principles.
• Experience in a lab, pilot plant or manufacturing environment through internships or projects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to interpret technical data.
• Knowledge of process control concepts, statistics and experimental design.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data analysis tools.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Commitment to safe work practices and quality standards.
• Availability to work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 6:00 AM–6:00 PM

Responsibilities

• Directly manage a weekend fermentation shift and mentor a team of non-exempt technicians.
• Safely perform fermentation support activities: batching, inoculation, sampling, cleaning.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers and operations to run R&D projects.
• Assist with troubleshooting and root-cause investigations for fermentation and downstream processing.
• Maintain lab equipment and ensure safety, quality and environmental compliance.
• Contribute to continuous improvement to boost process performance and sustainability.
• Support technology transfer from development to manufacturing

Skills

Bioprocessing basics

Laboratory operations

Data analysis

Problem solving

Multi-tasking

Education

Associate of Science or Bachelor's in chemical/biochemical/biotechnology

Equivalent practical work experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Technical data analysis tools

Job description

IFF, a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences, is seeking a fermentation technician for the Palo Alto onsite shift. You will oversee a weekend team, perform fermentation support tasks, and collaborate with cross-functional groups on development and manufacturing projects.

The role emphasizes safety, quality, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced biotech environment; a technical degree and lab experience are required, with a schedule Fri–Sun, 6:00