Microbiology Specialist, Food Protection

Job Description Summary
The Food Protection Specialist in Microbiology Position will directly report to the Principal Microbiologist. Under the direction of the Principal Microbiologist, this position functions autonomously to help implement programs within a given functional area(s) of the Food protection and Technical Services group. They will mainly assist with carrying out microbiological validation studies for lethality treatments in consumer and processing applications. They will support management in the implementation of relevant food safety processes and procedures and the daily execution of related activities and will participate on cross functional teams to ensure effective implementation of various quality, food safety (microbiology) and Innovation initiatives and processes. The position will own the execution of technical objectives related to assigned responsibilities. This position must also innovate for continuous improvement in the food safety systems.

Job Description

Position Responsibilities:

* Responsible for day-to-day microbiological program management assistance (support for microbiological database & reporting) for the processing facilities.
* Set-up and execute microbiological validation studies to determine lethality in consumer cooking applications (i.e. accelerated baking, microwaving etc.).
* Set-up and execute microbiological validation studies to determine lethality in heat treatments involved in large-scale process applications (i.e. frying, blanching etc.).
* Collects, records, maintain, interpret and communicate validation data.
* Generates and maintains validation study reports.
* Maintains the day-to-day activities of the validation laboratory, including enforcing and following good laboratory practices, performing relevant lab work, maintaining and troubleshooting equipment, and ordering supplies.
* Manages policies and procedures for microbiology department, for relevant work in the position
* Reviews validated cooking instructions in graphics
* Creats Requitions in SAP
* Manages corporate dashboard for EnvironMAP and coordinates with the plants for tracking and trending
* Updates all acreditations for the third party micro labs
* Assists with other tasks possibly associated with Sample Manager (a LIMS system), Environmental Monitoring Programs, microbiological sampling procedures and other key components of the overall microbiological food safety system.
* Assits Sr. Principal Microbiologist on specialized projects on an as-needed basis that support and help advance priority tasks in microbiological food safety.
* Supports and assists with other tasks as assigned by the Food Protection that help in overall continuous improvement in quality, innovation and food safety.

Job Qualifications

Position Requirements:

* B.S. in Microbiology, Food Science or related field or equivalent years of experience and training. A B.S is strongly preferred.
* Minimum 2 years of food industrial experience in Microbiology and/or Quality Assurance.
* Excellent understanding of heat-treatment as a microbiological lethality (kill) step (i.e. thermal processes) and critical factors.
* Excellent knowledge of food manufacturing processes and how they relate to food safety
* Excellent knowledge in using a full range of statistical and analytical tools and fundamentals applied to validation studies and general research.
* Culinary experience is a plus
* A technical and scientific skillset with potential to adapt and innovate is a plus
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)
* Excellent relationship and team building skills
* PQ Certified preferred

Physical Requirements:

* Office

* Sitting for up to 8 hours a day

* Plant

* Walking/Standing on various plant surfaces for up to 8 hours a da
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