Fermentation Technician

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

Our Rochester, MN location is part of our Applied Health and Nutrition Division, specializing in fermented ingredients for the bio-science industry. We’re proud of our clean-label, natural products and our commitment to freshness and quality.

• Full time work
• Full Benefits starting 1st day of the month after you start
• $5k Sign on Bonus
• Career growth and opportunities.

The pay range for this position is $23 - $28.50 per hour. Kerry typically does not hire an individual at the top or near the top of the range, as we are a pay-for-performance company, and this range is set to continue to reward performance annually while in role. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The specific compensation offered to a candidate within the above range may be influenced by a variety of factors including skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity. Kerry offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities, Employee Share Plan, Life, disability, and accident insurance, and tuition reimbursement. This job posting is anticipated to expire on 12/2026.

We may use artificial intelligence tools to support the review and assessment of applications and assist with scheduling interviews. We do not use AI to make decisions during the interview process. All candidate assessments and employment decisions are made by human recruitment and leadership teams.

Looking for a hands-on manufacturing role where science, process control, and quality come together?

As a Fermentation Operator
, you will control the fermentation process and inoculate media with yeast and bacteria to produce fermented intermediate goods. These products are later evaporated and spray dried by separate departments. You’ll monitor multiple fermenters simultaneously, follow strict recipes, and maintain high-care sanitation standards due to the microbial nature of fermented ingredients.

You’ll play a critical role in food safety and quality, and we hope you’ll feel a deep sense of pride when you see friends and family enjoying products you helped produce.

As a Fermentation Operator, you’ll:

• Operate fermenters and sterilizers, including CIP (Clean-in-Place) and SIP (Sterilize-in-Place) processes
• Control fermentation parameters including pH, temperature, pressure, dissolved oxygen, agitation speed, and air flow
• Inoculate media with yeast and bacteria following approved batch sheets and process descriptions
• Pump specified volumes of media through sterilizers into fermentation tanks to ensure recipe compliance
• Monitor up to 8 fermenters simultaneously at various processing stages
• Perform sampling and coordinate with the QA laboratory; take corrective action based on results
  
  Select and operate fermenters using FIX systems, graphical displays, real-time trends, and historical charts
• Calibrate pH transmitters, pH probes, and DO probes
• Utilize computer systems SAP for inventory control and pick lists
• Wash and clean equipment per the sanitation manual and follow GMP requirements
• Operate a forklift
• Assist other production operators as time and shift allow
• Occasionally work in confined spaces, including fermenters

What you'll need to be successful and safe:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Minimum of one year fermentation or related plant operator experience
• Brewing education or experience in a brewing environment is a plus, but not required
• Ability to operate processing equipment and computerized control systems
• Working…