Production Microbiologist at Locus Management LLC – Solon, Ohio

Who WE are…

Locus AG, a division of Locus Fermentation Solutions, helps growers achieve greater ROI through innovative agriculture products that are proven in independent third-party trials. Our products consistently drive impactful yield increases across row crops, specialty crops, and turf by improving nutrient availability, stress tolerance, soil health, and overall plant vigor. Driven by science and real-world performance, Locus AG delivers practical, results-based solutions that help farmers get more from every acre. This is an opportunity to join a fast-growing team with strong market traction and measurable impact in the field.

What you’ll be doing:

The Production Microbiologist is an entry-level professional responsible for bringing technical

expertise to the production process. The Production Microbiologist is a hybrid position between the laboratory

and production floor and requires proficiency in both settings.

Location: Solon, OH

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with a small team of other microbiologists and production operators
• Follow SOP’s utilizing good laboratory practices and good documentation practices to formulate product batches and fill out batch records in real time to maintain product quality
• Prepare Inoculum for fermentation utilizing aseptic technique
• Prepare reactors for fermentation, including the loading of raw materials, setting parameters, testing equipment functionality, and inoculation of culture.
• Operation of centrifuge and reactor PLCs to gather data and set temperature, pH, and other parameters.
• Operation and routine maintenance of filling machines, blenders, and other production equipment.
• Collect and turnover culture samples to quality control for testing and analysis.
• Other various laboratory product experiments and troubleshooting.
• Actively participate in production meetings by voicing concerns, recommendations for process improvements and providing production updates.
• General production equipment cleaning and sterilization.
• Maintain the warehouse and laboratory, ensuring a high level of cleanliness and organization of materials through routine cycle counts.
• Mentor and cross-train with production operators.
• Crosstrain with quality control on plating techniques
  

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, microbiology or related scientific field or combination of education and related experience required.
• Experience working in a laboratory setting and familiarity with microbiology techniques including streaking, plating, CFU counts, cell identification, and media preparation required.
• An understanding of basic algebra and scientific notation.
• Preferred but not required: Familiarly with production equipment and warehouse operations.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully

perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with

disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to

move through the warehouse 60% of the time and remain in a stationary position 40% of the time. The employee

is required to consistently position self as appropriate to operate and maintain equipment in the warehouse and

progress production cycles. The employee will occasionally lift and carry up to 55 lbs. Employees will occasionally

use a computer, phone, copier and other office equipment over the course of employment.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in a temperature-controlled warehouse environment. While performing the duties of this job,

the employee is occasionally exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. This may include warm, hot or

cold temperatures. Usually, the temperature is around 60°F in the summer and 50°F in the winter. The noise level

in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

What’s in it for you:

· Competitive Salary

· Medical/Dental/Vison Benefits

· 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match

· Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)

· Paid Holidays

· Volunteer Hours

· Annual allowance of Floating Holidays

· Tuition Assistance and Continuing Education Reimbursement Policy