Plant Microbiologist

Locus Management LLC•Solon, OH

51d•Onsite

About The Position

The Plant Microbiologist (Lead) is the technical leader for microbiology and fermentation processes within the production environment. This role is responsible for ensuring consistent product quality, optimizing fermentation performance, and maintaining robust microbiological and documentation standards. This position combines hands-on technical expertise with process ownership, including auditing operations, improving SOPs, and ensuring adherence to aseptic and quality standards. The Plant Microbiologist partners cross-functionally with Quality Control, R&D, and Operations to troubleshoot issues, drive continuous improvement, and scale production processes. This role also plays a key part in developing team capability through training and mentorship.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Biology, or related scientific field required.
5-8+ years of progressive experience in Microbiology, Fermentation, or biomanufacturing environments.
Deep technical expertise in fermentation processes and scale-up, aseptic technique and contamination prevention, microbial testing methods (CFU quantification, organism identification).
Demonstrated experience leading complex troubleshooting efforts and implementing permanent process or equipment solutions.
Proven ability to design, validate, and improve microbiological testing protocols and production processes.
Strong data analysis skills with the ability to interpret trends and drive data-based decisions.
Advanced experience with SOP and batch record development, revision, and compliance oversight.
Experience leading or supporting audits, ensuring documentation accuracy, and maintaining regulatory readiness.
Strong cross-functional collaboration experience with R&D, Quality, and Operations teams.
Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver training programs and mentor technical staff.
Advanced ERP(Netsuite or similar) experience, including BOM review, inventory management, and production planning support.
Ability to move throughout production, laboratory, and warehouse environments for extended periods of time (frequent walking and standing)
Ability to remain in a stationary position for periods of time while performing laboratory work, documentation or data analysis.
Ability to perform tasks that require bending, reaching, kneeling, crouching, and positioning to operate and maintain equipment.
Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull materials up to 50-55 lbs on an occasional basis.
Ability to use hands and fingers to operate laboratory equipment, tools, computers, and machinery controls.
Ability to visually inspect equipment, materials, and products for quality and accuracy, including close vision and color differentiation where applicable.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), which may include gloves, lab coats, safety glasses, respirators, or other protective gear.
Ability to work in environments requiring adherence to strict hygiene, contamination control, and safety protocols.
Ability to respond to production needs, including extended time on the production floor during troubleshooting or process improvement activities.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a pilot-scale or commercial biomanufacturing environment preferred.
Prior informal or formal leadership responsibility such a project leadership, team mentorship, or process ownership a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead preparation, execution, and optimization of upstream materials and processes for bacterial and fungal fermentation.
Own fermentation performance across products, including troubleshooting, process optimization, and consistency of outcomes.
Serve as the primary escalation point for complex production and equipment issues, driving root cause analysis and implementing permanent corrective actions.
Design and lead experiments to improve product yield, consistency, and process efficiency.
Track, investigate, and resolve process deviations, ensuring proper documentation and follow-up actions.
Design, validate, and improve microbial testing protocols, including CFU quantification, cell identification, and contamination control strategies.
Oversee aseptic technique training and ensure consistent application across all production activities.
Audit production processes and operator execution to ensure compliance with SOPs and microbiological best practices.
Maintain ownership of microbial quality within production, partnering closely with Quality Control to ensure accurate and reliable testing.
Support and help define quality standards for products, including agricultural product lines.
Lead quality-focused activities in the production and warehouse environment, including verification of fill volumes, product handling, and storage practices.
Maintain, audit, and continuously improve batch records, SOPs, and laboratory documentation to ensure accuracy, usability, and compliance.
Lead the creation, revision, and standardization of SOPs and batch records based on process learnings and operational needs.
Ensure adherence to internal standards and applicable regulatory frameworks (e.g., ISO, GMP-lite environments).
Conduct audits of training records, SOP adherence, and operational practices to ensure consistency and effectiveness.
Serve as a resource for SOP interpretation and procedural guidance across microbiological operations.
Collect, analyze, and interpret process and microbiological data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
Translate data into actionable insights that improve yield, reduce variability, and control costs.
Take an active role in production planning by providing microbiological and process expertise to support business targets.
Partner with R&D to support product development, scale-up activities, and process improvements.
Collaborate with Quality Control to troubleshoot microbial issues and enhance testing methods.
Represent microbiology in cross-functional meetings and operational initiatives.
Perform other duties as assigned to support business operations.
Develop and deliver structured training programs for microbiologists, production operators, and cross-functional staff.
Mentor Production Microbiologist I and II team members, building technical capability and consistency.
Oversee aseptic technique training and broader microbiology competency development across the production team.
Audit training effectiveness and continuously improve training programs.