About this role
Who we are:
Lesaffre is a key global player in the fermentation of microorganisms (yeasts and bacteria) for baking, taste, healthcare and industrial biotechnology. This story began more than 170 years ago in northern France, and, thanks to our pioneer spirit and our innovative approach, we are constantly developing.
Lesaffre's global presence includes 11,000 employees from 96 nationalities and a 3-billion euro turnover. We work with customers, partners and researchers to develop essential nutrients and bio actives that strengthen human health, optimize animal well-being and improve plant nutrition.
This role is within our Red Star Yeast team. Red Star delivers a range of high-performing yeast and related products that empower bakers and food manufacturers to create consistent, flavorful, and high-quality baked goods. Backed by Lesaffre and Archer Daniels Midland and supported by modern manufacturing facilities in Cedar Rapids, IA and Dothan, AL, our team blends global expertise with local reliability to bring trusted, innovative yeast solutions to the U.S. and Canadian markets.
What we offer:
• Day one healthcare coverage (Medical, Dental, & Vision)
• 401k with 4% match & additional discretionary employer contribution
• 11 paid holidays
• 80 hours of vacation time and 48 hours of sick time annually
• Life insurance, AD&D, Employee Assistance Program, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and more!
What you bring to the table:
As a Relief Process Operator, you'll play a critical role in our yeast fermentation operations. You'll monitor and adjust fermentation processes, manage equipment, and ensure product quality while maintaining our safety-first culture. This position covers for our process operators during absences and will work normally scheduled hours (M-F, 10A-6P) when they are not covering. In this role, you may rotate through various departments including fermentation, separation, cleaning, and truck loading, giving you broad exposure to our operations. If you're detail-oriented, mechanically inclined, and thrive in a dynamic manufacturing environment, this could be the role for you.
What you'll do as a Relief Process Operator:
• Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to Lesaffre's safety-first culture by strictly following all safety protocols and participating in required safety programs
• Follow established fermentation, ingredient, and truck loading procedures, make adjustments on the processes or processing equipment, manually or through a central processing computer.
• Notify Supervisor of equipment failures and when major fermentation problems or variations in the process are detected.
• Follow the production schedule.
• Follow established cleaning (CIP) and syrup/raw materials procedures.
• Responsible for reading and understanding material safety data for chemicals used in the fermentation process.
• Follow all procedures/precautions when adding chemicals to the fermentation process and working around chemicals.
• Run the separation of the yeast after fermentation.
• Learn to comply with all established safety, GMP, and food safety rules of the plant as well as general company policies.
• Verify accuracy of all information.
• Record and maintain accurate written and electronic information for fermentation, separation, CIPs, or any other documents required by company to regulate parameters, procedures and equipment through basic laboratory analysis, simple calculations and computer controls.
• Communicate and interact with other employees, customers, and management personnel in a respectful and effective manner.
• Follow syrup/molasses processes from start to end to minimize loss.
• Maintain inventory.
• Train and work in other departments in the facility as needed. This may include truck loading, ingredient preparation, cleaning for customer audits, and filling in for various absences throughout the facility. Work is assigned depending upon operational needs.
• Other duties as assigned
Required qualifications:
• High School Diploma, GED, or 3 years of experience in a similar position
• Years of experience
• Ability to follow instructions, learn, and ask questions.
• Mechanical aptitude and trouble-shooting skills.
• Good people skills.
• Ability to manage time and plan ahead.
• Ability to multi-task and troubleshoot.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes is preferred.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
Lesaffre provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.