Process Scientist / Fermentation

About the role

The Process Scientist – Fermentation serves as the technical owner for assigned fermentation manufacturing processes, providing scientific leadership and operational support to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective production. This role is responsible for process optimization, yield improvement, contamination control, strain management, process troubleshooting, technology transfer, and commercialization of new fermentation technologies. Working closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and R&D teams, the Process Scientist drives continuous improvement initiatives, develops process understanding through data analysis and experimentation, and supports the successful scale-up and commercialization of fermentation-based products. The position bridges research, engineering, and manufacturing environments, ensuring robust and sustainable production processes.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as the technical owner for assigned fermentation and downstream manufacturing processes.
• Provide scientific expertise to support safe, compliant, and efficient manufacturing operations.
• Partner with Operations and Quality teams to investigate process deviations, quality issues, and manufacturing challenges.
• Monitor and improve process capability, consistency, productivity, yield, and product quality.
• Lead root cause investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Develop and maintain process standards, operating parameters, and best practices.
• Lead process optimization projects focused on yield improvement, cost reduction, cycle-time reduction, and capacity enhancement.
• Design, execute, and analyze pilot-scale and manufacturing-scale trials utilizing Design of Experiments (DOE) and statistical methodologies.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, and improve manufacturing processes.
• Drive initiatives to reduce waste, rework, and production losses.
• Support the implementation of new technologies that enhance operational performance.
• Collaborate with Quality and R&D teams to establish robust analytical capabilities.
• Utilize techniques such as HPLC, LC-MS, and GC-MS to support process understanding and control.

Qualifications and skills

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or a related scientific discipline.
• 2–5 years of experience supporting industrial fermentation, biotechnology, food ingredients, pharmaceutical, or related manufacturing operations.
• Strong knowledge of fermentation process development, scale-up, optimization, and process control.
• Experience with statistical analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), process capability analysis, and data visualization tools.
• Knowledge of industrial microbiology, contamination control, and strain management principles.
• Experience working with large-scale fermentation and downstream processing equipment, including Fermenters and bioreactors, Centrifuges, Filtration systems, Evaporators, Spray dryers, Sterilization systems.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Experience with analytical instrumentation such as HPLC, LC-MS, and GC-MS.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $70,100 - $122,000 in Annual Salary. 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.

Benefits

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.