Fermentation Technician - Xanthan Gum

The Fermentation Technician at the Xanthan Gum facility operates and monitors the fermentation process, ensuring safety, compliance, and efficiency. Responsibilities include preparing and sampling fermenters, conducting chemical and microbiological tests, maintaining accurate records, and supporting equipment maintenance. The technician actively participates in safety programs, continuous improvement initiatives, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to resolve issues

Qualified and experienced applicants for this position only are asked to email their resume and cover letter to: [email protected]

Only eligible Canadian citizens and those with a valid PR card will be considered.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain strict adherence to all established health, safety, and security policies and procedures. Conduct routine inspections of production areas with a focus on safety, environmental impact, and equipment functionality to ensure compliance and proactively address any potential hazards to provide a safe working environment for all personnel. Participate in all scheduled training.
• Embody the company’s core values in everyday work. Demonstrate Curiosity by proactively seeking new knowledge, asking insightful questions, and embracing opportunities to learn and innovate. Exhibit Courage by confidently sharing ideas, addressing challenges directly, and supporting change within the organization. Show Care through attention to detail, commitment to quality, and a genuine concern for the well-being of colleagues, customers, and the community. Foster Collaboration by working effectively with others, sharing expertise, and building strong partnerships across teams to achieve shared goals.
• Strictly follow all SOPs, work instructions, rules, procedures and regulatory requirements as defined for the safe and efficient operation of the fermentation production process.
• Wear and properly use all required PPE as directed.
• Preparation, sterilization, inoculation and monitoring of all plant fermenters including pre-fermenters and main fermenters. Inputting process data into PAXAN.
• Inoculation of pre-fermenters with 10L laboratory fermenters when required.
• Aseptic sampling from all running fermenters as per the sampling plan. Delivery of samples to the fermentation laboratory.
• Conduct routine wet chemical testing including glucose concentration, optical density, pH, and solids content as per the testing plan. Interpreting and inputting results into PAXAN. Reporting of all anomalies to the Fermentation Manager.
• Perform microscopic analyses on running fermenters and report contamination promptly.
• Accurately make adjustments to the fermentation process based off chemical and microbiological analyses. This may include but is not limited to agitation speed, airflow, glucose additions, and temperature to ensure optimal growth conditions to achieve a high-yield fermentation.
• Cleaning, sterilization, filling and monitoring of all glucose feed tanks and storage tanks.
• Nutrition salt preparations utilizing the media mix tanks. Capable of lifting 25-30kg.
• Inventory monitoring and communication for all required material within the production fermentation department.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date logs of all results and statuses within PAXAN, complete daily shift logs including daily activities, production metrics, equipment/process parameters.
• Assist and back up technicians in Purification and Packaging as necessary to promote a positive team environment.
• Collaborate and assist the maintenance department by preparing equipment (performing LOTO, verifying equipment status, etc.) and assisting in equipment maintenance tasks.
• Participate in diagnosing process inefficiencies and equipment malfunctions. Contribute to the development of solutions to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and improve overall department performance.
• Assist in writing, reviewing, and updating SOPs to reflect current best practices.
• Assist in optimizing and maintaining energy efficient operations to meet the sustainability compliance goals as set by the company.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization in work areas through adherence to 5S principles. Actively participate in Kaizen and other continuous improvement programs to drive operational excellence. Perform routine wash downs of the entire fermentation production area.
• Routine inspections of membranes, seals, glass sight glasses, gear boxes, filters.
• Operation, monitoring, and cleaning of the continuous sterilization system.
• Monitoring and managing of critical plant systems such as air compressors, chillers, agitators.
• Prompt reporting of all anomalies or deviations in the process to the Fermentation Manager and/or Team Leader. Work collaboratively to resolve issues.
• Liaise with the fermentation lab and quality department to resolve production and quality issues as necessary.
• Immediate reporting of all safety incidents, near misses, and observations to contribute to a strong health and safety culture. Strict adherence to all safety related procedures, policies, and instructions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Support team objectives and operational excellence initiatives

Qualifications:

• A post-secondary degree or diploma in Chemical Process Engineering Technology (CPET), Microbiology, or a closely related biological science field.
• 2-5 years experience working in an industrial plant environment.
• Familiar with DCS systems and a thorough understanding of impacts of changes within the system.
• Self-motivated, detail oriented. Capable or working independently as well as collaborating in a team environment.
• Strong critical thinking skills – capable of recognizing process improvement opportunities.
• Capable of quickly learning new skills and successfully applying them.
• Reliable work ethic, desire to work in a team-based environment.
• Knowledge and skills in microbiological techniques, including aseptic techniques considered an asst.