Evaporation Operator at Vibrant Ingredients – Eustis, Florida

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 Evaporation Operator, you are responsible for operating and maintaining evaporator equipment in the food manufacturing process and for creating small evaporation batches . This role ensures the efficient and safe concentration of liquids through evaporation, playing a critical role in the production of high-quality food products. The operator will monitor the equipment, troubleshoot issues, and maintain adherence to all safety and quality standards.

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:

• Operates production machinery in accordance with prints and specifications
• Maintains production logs and records
• Assist supervisor to ensure the department complies with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control (HACCP) and Safe Quality Foods (SQF)
• Works safely and ensures the department complies with all safety rules
• Operate Evaporation Equipment: Set up, adjust, and operate evaporation machines to remove moisture from food products.
• Monitor the evaporation process to ensure consistency, temperature, and pressure levels are within specifications.
• Continuously check the temperature, pressure, and flow of the materials during the evaporation process.
• Record relevant production data such as temperature, pressure, concentration levels, and equipment performance.

Quality Control:

• Perform regular checks on product quality to ensure the evaporation process meets company and industry standards.
• Report any deviations in the product or process to the quality control team or supervisor.
• Maintenance and Troubleshooting:
• Perform routine maintenance on evaporation equipment, including cleaning and sanitization tasks.
• Collaborate with maintenance personnel for major repairs and equipment overhauls.
• Adhere to hygiene, sanitation, and food safety standards in accordance with company policies and regulatory requirements (e.g., HACCP, FDA, GMP).

Inventory Management:

• Assist with inventory management of raw materials and finished goods, ensuring accurate stock levels and timely production.
• Ensure that all materials used in the evaporation process are appropriately stored and handled.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate logs of equipment performance, production data, and any maintenance performed.
• Generate reports for the production supervisor or manager as required.

Continuous Improvement:

• Suggest and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance product quality.
• Participate in team meetings and training sessions to stay updated on best practices and company policies.
• Contacts supervisor, QC or R&D for guidance in the event of unplanned deviations; follows guidance and direction accordingly
• Complete basic lab procedures ensuring accuracy and validity of results. Assist with general laboratory procedures including but not limited to preparation of solvents, buffers, resins, reagent solutions, media prep; measuring and dispensing of solid and liquid chemicals and raw materials
• Cleaning and sterilization of equipment, instruments, materials and processing areas

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• At least one year of related experience required
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, set priorities, and make decisions with general guidance and supervision
• Working knowledge, skills, and ability to understand, interpret and assess FDA, Food and Plant Safety, product, process and quality-related requirements and to ensure adherence to all HACCP protocols, GMPs and SOPs
• Relevant knowledge of equipment, process and production capabilities
• Experience using ERP/ MES / MRP / Shop Manufacturing Systems a plus
• Implement Lean Six Sigma Methodology
• Ability to work overtime, off shift, and weekends as needed
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety shoes, eye protection, hearing protection, and any additional requirements necessary for specific tasks such as cleaning and handling materials.

Work Environment:

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

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Repetitive lifting 50 to 60 pounds
• Climbing stairs and ladders
• Prolonged standing and walking
• Repetitive bending, twisting and kneeling
• Visual acuity to read instructions, operate machines, and inspect product
• Ability to work in high-temperature environments
• Ability to tolerate prolonged heat

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**