Position Overview:

This position involves managing and optimizing upstream manufacturing operations, including microbial fermentation, media preparation, inoculum development, and microbial algae cultivation. The role focuses on overseeing day-to-day production activities, optimizing fermentation parameters, improving biomass productivity, and ensuring consistent batch performance while meeting production targets and quality standards. The candidate should have exposure to the production of omega oils, particularly DHA and EPA, from microbial algae, along with a strong understanding of fermentation processes, process optimization, and scale-up.

The role also requires effective coordination with downstream processing, quality assurance, quality control, maintenance, and engineering teams to ensure safe, effective, and compliant manufacturing operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

- Manage day-to-day upstream manufacturing operations, including media preparation, sterilization, inoculum development, fermentation, and microbial algae cultivation.
- Supervise and monitor fermentation processes to ensure consistent biomass growth, product yield, and adherence to production schedules.
- Operate and oversee fermenters, bioreactors, seed vessels, media preparation systems, sterilization systems, and associated auxiliary equipment.
- Support upstream production of microbial biomass for the manufacture of omega oils, including DHA and EPA, derived from microbial algae.
- Monitor and optimize critical process parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, agitation, aeration, nutrient feed, and fermentation duration.
- Perform media optimization, inoculum optimization, and process parameter optimization based on strain performance and production requirements.
- Troubleshoot fermentation-related issues, identify root causes of process deviations, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
- Ensure proper execution of batch manufacturing activities, including batch documentation, process monitoring, yield tracking, and timely batch completion.
- Take responsibility for the successful execution of assigned batches, ensuring process consistency, productivity, and compliance with established specifications.
- Support process development, technology transfer, and scale-up activities from laboratory or pilot scale to commercial manufacturing scale.




- Coordinate with downstream processing teams to ensure the timely transfer of fermentation broth or biomass for subsequent extraction and purification operations.
- Collaborate with quality assurance, quality control, maintenance, and engineering teams to address process deviations, equipment breakdowns, and operational challenges.
- Ensure compliance with applicable GMP requirements, SOPs, safety protocols, hygiene standards, and relevant regulatory requirements.
- Maintain accurate production records, batch manufacturing records, equipment logbooks, and other relevant documentation.
- Monitor raw material and media requirements, coordinate procurement planning with relevant departments, and minimize material wastage.
- Assist in production planning, manpower allocation, shift scheduling, and resource utilization to achieve manufacturing targets within the approved budget.
- Identify opportunities for process improvement, cost reduction, increased biomass productivity, improved fermentation yields, and enhanced operational efficiency.
- Lead and guide upstream production personnel, ensuring adherence to operating procedures, safety practices, and quality standards.
- Support the evaluation and implementation of new technologies, automation systems, and process improvements in upstream manufacturing.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.
- Duties and responsibilities are not limited to the work listed above and may include other assignments as necessary

Qualifications, Competencies, and Position Requirements
- Strong technical knowledge of upstream bioprocessing, microbial fermentation, and bioreactor operations.
- Practical understanding of microbial algae cultivation and fermentation-based production of omega oils, particularly DHA and/or EPA, is highly desirable.
- Knowledge of media formulation, inoculum development, sterilization, aseptic techniques, and fermentation process control.
- Ability to monitor, analyze,



and optimize critical process parameters to improve biomass productivity and product yield.
- Knowledge of troubleshooting, root cause analysis, process deviation management, and corrective and preventive actions.
- Familiarity with GMP, SOPs, batch manufacturing documentation, and industrial safety practices.
- Strong leadership, communication, coordination, and problem-solving skills.
- Good organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple production activities.
- Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and support continuous improvement initiatives.
- Willingness to work in shifts, including night shifts, as required.
- Willingness to travel as required by the role.

Education and Experience:

- M.Tech, M.Sc., or Ph.D. in Biotechnology.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant industrial experience in upstream manufacturing, microbial fermentation, or bioprocess operations, preferably in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, food biotechnology, or microbial oil industry.
- Hands-on experience in industrial-scale fermentation, bioreactor operations, media optimization, and process parameter optimization is preferred.
- Exposure to microbial algae cultivation and the production of omega oils, particularly DHA and EPA, is desirable.
- Knowledge of GMP requirements, SOPs, batch manufacturing documentation, process troubleshooting, and quality standards is preferred.

Travel:

- Ability to travel as required by role.

Location:

- Trivandrum and Bangalore

Remuneration:

- As per industry. Will consider higher for deserving candidates.

Job Type: Full-time Pay: ₹600,000.00 - ₹800,000.00 per year

Benefits

- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Provident Fund

Application Question(s):
- What is your current CTC and expected CTC?
- Have you independently managed production batches and been responsible for batch success?
- Are you willing and able to work on rotational shifts, including night shifts?
- Are you willing to work at either of our locations in Trivandrum or Bangalore as required by the role?
- How many years of hands-on experience do you have in operating and monitoring industrial-scale fermenters or bioreactors?
- What exposure do you have to fermentation-based production of omega oils, particularly DHA and EPA, from microbial algae?

Work Location: In person

📌 Assistant Manager - Upstream (Chalai)
🏢 Vitaliz Biosciences
📍 Chalai