Founded in 1954, Vibrant Ingredients is a leading provider of natural, clean label ingredients and systems that power extraordinary food and beverage experiences. The company’s broad portfolio — including natural flavors, botanical extracts, functional nutrition, cold brew coffee, tea essences, and food protection solutions — enhances taste, texture, color, shelf life, and performance across a wide range of applications. Vibrant operates four state-of-the-art facilities across the United States and works with leading brands, manufacturers, and foodservice operators. With vertically integrated capabilities and a proven track record of innovation and execution, Vibrant helps customers accelerate to market without compromise.

About the role:

We are a trusted partner to our customers when it comes to innovation and an industry leader in clean label ingredients, we are a true partner. We collaborate with our customers in ways that respect people and the environment. A commitment to Purely Better™ drives our innovation team to discover new, on trend solutions.

As a Fermentation Operator you will play a critical role in the manufacturing process by overseeing and managing fermentation operations to ensure the production of high-quality products. This position involves operating and maintaining fermentation equipment, monitoring process parameters, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. The operator will be responsible for preparing media, conducting sampling, and performing filtration and sanitization tasks within a clean room environment. Collaboration with cross-functional teams is essential to optimize production efficiency and troubleshoot any process deviations. Ultimately, the role ensures that fermentation processes run smoothly, safely, and in alignment with production schedules and regulatory requirements.

How will you contribute:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Essential job functions and duties include, but are not limited to:

• Operate and monitor fermentation vessels and associated equipment to maintain optimal conditions for microbial growth and product yield.
• Prepare fermentation media and perform sampling at designated intervals to assess process performance and product quality.
• Conduct filtration and sanitization procedures to maintain a sterile and contamination-free environment.
• Work within clean room protocols to ensure compliance with hygiene and safety standards.
• Collaborate with production and quality teams to troubleshoot equipment issues and process deviations.
• Maintain accurate production records and documentation in accordance with regulatory and company standards.
• Assist with packaging line operations as needed to support overall production flow.
• Perform routine maintenance and cleaning of production machinery to ensure operational readiness.

Skills:

The required skills such as fermentation, filtration, and media preparation are essential for managing the core biological processes and ensuring product quality. Clean room expertise and sanitization skills are critical to maintaining a contamination-free environment, which is vital in food and manufacturing settings. Sampling skills enable the operator to monitor and verify process parameters, ensuring consistent production outcomes. Familiarity with production machinery and packaging lines allows the operator to support end-to-end manufacturing workflows efficiently. Preferred skills like troubleshooting and experience with regulatory standards enhance the operator's ability to maintain compliance and quickly resolve operational issues, contributing to overall process reliability.

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in fermentation processes within a manufacturing or food production environment.
• Knowledge of clean room protocols and sanitization procedures.
• Ability to perform media preparation, sampling, and filtration tasks accurately.
• Familiarity with operating production machinery and packaging lines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate degree or certification in biotechnology, microbiology, food science, or a related field.
• Previous experience working in a regulated manufacturing environment (e.g., cGMP).
• Training in safety standards and quality control procedures.
• Experience with computerized batch record systems or manufacturing execution systems (MES).
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills related to fermentation equipment.

Work Environment:

• May involve exposure to allergens such as Soy, Wheat, Fish, Shellfish, Milk, Egg, Tree Nuts and Sesame.

What Vibrant Ingredients can offer you:

• Generous time off for vacations
• Paid Holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Medical/Dental/Vision
• Health & Wellness programs

More about us:

Vibrant Ingredients, headquartered in Lake Mary, FL, is one of the world's leading independent providers of natural ingredients. With a legacy spanning over 70 years, we deliver a diverse portfolio of clean label ingredients and innovative system solutions to the food and beverage industry. Our commitment to quality and performance is reflected in our American-made products, which enhance both taste and functionality. Backed by advanced manufacturing capabilities, we specialize in fermentation, patented cold brew extraction, custom flavor development, and a range of drying and blending technologies. Operating from four state-of-the-art facilities strategically located across the U.S., we ensure the accessibility of real, high-quality ingredients—helping our customers create better-for-you food and beverage for consumers.

"Improving the food and beverages consumed by providing real ingredients from nature that work."

This position is currently classified as on-site.

Employees are eligible to participate in Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401(k), Holidays, Vacation, Tuition Reimbursement Program.

The final salary offered for this position may take into account a number of factors including, but not limited to, location, skills, education, and experience.

The Company reserves the right to modify, update, change and/or make corrections to this job description, at the sole discretion of senior management, at any time during the employee’s employment term, at the sole discretion of management.

EEO Statement

Vibrant Ingredients is an equal opportunity employer committed to employing a diverse workforce and providing accommodations for people with disabilities in all parts of the hiring process as required under its Employment Accommodation Policy. Vibrant Ingredients will work with applicants to meet accommodation needs that are made known to Vibrant Ingredients in advance.

**Please no external recruiters**

7pm-7am