Grind & Pack Operator Lead 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 Production Lead Operator you will provide leadership and direction to other operators and excellence in manufacturing within their assigned department together with providing support to the Production Supervisor. The Production Lead is also charged with working in an operator position as a working lead when needed and in order to ensure that the product is produced on schedule and within scheduled hours. The lead ensures that production is running according to a daily and weekly plan. ,

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:

• On-schedule production output of products by line and department
• Achieve planned Quality performance metrics
• Achieve scheduled / planned production schedule within the department
• Achieve planned direct and indirect labor hours objectives within the department
• Achieve improvements in efficiency, effectiveness and productivity within the department
• Successful completion of training and development objectives and deadlines
• Reduction of product loss, rework, scrap and waste together with improvements in yield within the department
• Build high-quality relationships within and between production departments
• 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
• Carry out microbial analysis according to batch records using good sterile technique
• Ongoing utilization and monitoring of equipment and process control systems to ensure parameters are within specified operating ranges
• Performs minor mechanical and instrumentation troubleshooting; takes appropriate corrective action as needed.
• Complete daily batch records and enter necessary data into databases
• Contacts supervisor 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
• Executes on various projects developed by R&D
• Performs housekeeping tasks as assigned per GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)
• Other duties as assigned or required

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• 1 to 3 years of Department and Work Center-related production experience within the food and beverage manufacturing and / or packing environment
• Working knowledge, skills and ability to understand FDA, Food and Plant Safety, product, process and quality-related requirements and to help ensure adherence to all HACCP protocols, GMPs and SOPs
• Relevant knowledge of equipment, process and production capabilities
• Ability to provide training to operators and work with repair and maintenance mechanics and technicians
• At least one year of related experience required
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, set priorities, and make decisions with general guidance and supervision
• Experience using ERP / MES / MRP / Shop Manufacturing Systems a plus
• Flexibility to work various shifts as production demands require, including early mornings, evenings, and/or weekends

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

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**