Quality Assurance Microbiologist

Role Overview

• Ensures microbiological analysis of raw materials and finished products is occurring in a timely, efficient manner and following all corporate and industry accepted methods.
• Maintain microbiological records to ensure that audit records meet or exceed regulatory and customer's requirement.
• Review, monitor and report findings from records, (i.e. Pathogen Environmental Monitoring).
• Provide support to micro events when occur at plant level.
• May be Responsible for microbiological lab functions including vendor management, calibration, verification, and maintenance of equipment, supply management, and support of customer and or third party audits.
• Conduct and manage microbiological analysis on finished products, raw ingredients and customer complaints determine their compliance with specifications.
• May lead root cause analysis investigation for out of spec results related to finished goods, customer complaints, and raw materials.
• Support sanitation program which may include but not limited to pre-operational inspections, micro swabbing ATP testing, visual inspections to assess the sanitary state of the processing area and equipment.
• Monitor cleaning and sanitation activities of the sanitation crew to assure compliance with established procedures.
• Support Quality Assurance Leader and sanitation team in commissioning new equipment and or construction activities.
• Attend monthly meetings lead by HQ Principle Microbiologist which may includes presenting plant learnings, implementing new testing methodologies and sharing with all applicable parties.
• Prepare environmental swabs submission.
• Support PEM investigations when experiencing a presumptive and or confirmed positive pathogen result.
• Follow escalation model as written in Corporate Pathogen Environmental Monitoring policy to ensure information is reported in timely fashion and to the appropriate personnel.
• Review and update the plants Pathogen Environmental Monitoring site list in conjunction with HQ Principle Microbiologist.
• Ensure HQ QA micro policies comply with audit standards for regulatory customer, and internal requirements.
• Support effectiveness of Food Safety Plans as directed by Quality Assurance Leader.
• Participate in compliance of corporate cross check procedure for microbiological testing with plant Quality Assurance Leader and follow corrective action and escalation guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Quality Assurance Leader and /or Sr. Microbiologist.
• Maintain micro lab in a clean atmosphere by ordering supplies, equipment (calibration/verifications).

Requirements

• Bachelors of Science Degree in Microbiology/Biology/Food Science or related scientific discipline highly preferred.
• 1 year or more experience in a related position highly preferred.
• Demonstrated increasing responsibility in a fast-paced manufacturing environment in the food or related industry.
• Ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English; utilize time in an efficient manner and be able to work with minimal supervision.
• Basic understanding of Microsoft Suite.
• Understanding of basic math and statistics.
• Knowledge of laboratory safe practices for handling equipment, chemicals and glassware.
• Knowledge of the basic principles of Microbiology highly preferred.
• Knowledge of HACCP/FSMA/GFSI/CFIA highly preferred.
• Related certifications are a plus.

Benefits

• Health, Prescription Drugs, Dental & Vision
• RRSP Program
• Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Short & Long Term Disability, Out of Country/Emergency Medical Travel, and other optional benefits.
• Employee Appreciation Events​
• Employee Assistance Programs
• College Assistance Program