Sr. Manager of Food Microbiology Lab and Technical Services

THE ROLE:

• This position will report to the:VP Of Quality Assurance and Food Safety
• Travel Requirement:No
• FLSA Status:Exempt
• Employment Category:Full-Time

PLANTS. POWERING. PEOPLE.

For more than a century, Bolthouse Farms has been known as the innovation leader in growing and distributing carrots and high-quality, innovative branded products. Employing more than 2,200 people and headquartered in Bakersfield in Californias fertile San Joaquin Valley, Bolthouse Farms is one of the largest carrot growers and distributors in the U.S. Guided by its purpose Plants Powering People the company recently introduced its new Bolthouse Farms Wunderoots line of fresh carrot innovations including carrot dogs, and also produces and sells super-premium juices, smoothies, cafe beverages, protein shakes, functional beverages and premium refrigerated dressings, all under the Bolthouse Farms brand name.Visit Bolthouse Farms or follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

WHAT YOULL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IN THIS ROLE

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Directly responsible for oversight and leadership of the Materials and Microbiology laboratory functions at the Bolthouse Bakersfield facility. Provides technical expertise and/or guidance to solve ingredient, product, and manufacturing issues. Proactively seeks to continually improve laboratory processes, procedures, and talent to drive efficiencies and cost savings.Applies leading edge scientific and technological concepts to business issues and opportunities in support of the business. Key project impacts include improvement to products, ingredients or processes that contribute to substantially improve food safety and quality. Primary contact for food safety issue resolution for R&D, Supply Chain and Manufacturing Operations. Active in external committees and networks. Recognized internally/externally as a key technical expert in Food Microbiology.

JOB DUTIES:

• Manage/lead Materials and Microbiology laboratory functions at the Bolthouse Bakersfield facility. Provide technical expertise, direction and guidance to the laboratory teams, R&D, and manufacturing to solve issues or assist with current or new products.
• Establish relationships with external technical experts at universities and governmental agencies and ingredient/equipment suppliers.Stay abreast of food safety regulatory requirements (HACCP and Food Safety Objectives) as they affect Operations and assist with compliance and problem solving.
• Responsible for design, implementation, oversight, and continual improvement of Food Safety Preventive Controls and Critical Control Points used to mitigate microbiological food safety risks.
• Provide technical leadership to ensure the highest efficiency and lowest cost laboratory services at the Bakersfield facility focusing on building the technical bench, optimizing processes and procedures, and ensuring strong collaboration between Quality and R&D and manufacturing.
• This position provides disposition for out of compliance situations due to HACCP deviations, temperature abuse from mishandling or shipping problems, and elevated microbial counts.
• Use working knowledge of Food Safety and Microbiological principles to design, manage, execute, interpret, and report on scientific studies that drive R&D initiatives.
• Responsible for ingredient risk assessments and provides input on ingredient and / or supplier approvals. Performs supplier audits when required.
• Manage the Microbiology Team. Monitor their daily routine and progress against goals. Assure they are fully utilized and evaluate them annually.
• Monitor emerging food safety and microbiological risks. Investigate and develop mitigation strategies for any emerging risks.
• Design and lead validations of new products, equipment, processes, and/or procedures to confirm microbiological and food safety standards are achieved.
• Create relationships with Operations, Sanitation, and Innovation to integrate best practices. Use these relationships to provide learning and transfer industry best practices and innovation for wet and dry sanitation, microbiological and allergen control within all zones of the plant environment.

WHAT WERE LOOKING FOR

Preferred Qualifications, Education & Work Experience:

• MS degree in Food Microbiology and 10 years of industry experience with proven track record of project management is preferred.
• Thorough knowledge and proven experience in Food Safety, Microbiological, FSMA, and HACCP implementation is required. Emphasis on ESL food processing and food safety is preferred.
• Must be proficient in all aspects of laboratory techniques required to direct/execute the following types of studies: pathogen analysis, lethality testing, challenge studies and shelf-life studies.
• Must be detail-oriented, well-organized with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with GFSI standards and audits
• Working knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices.
• Knowledge of microbiological methods and method qualification
• Knowledge of food and water microbiology to support microbiological risk assessments and food safety.
• Understanding of physical and chemical microbial control procedures and effect on food.
• Advanced knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and chemistry of cleaning (CIP, COP, dry cleaning methods), sanitary design of equipment and facilities, food microbiology and pest control
• PCQI certification
• Awareness of quality systems/processes (ISO, Six Sigma etc.), especially ISO 17025 requirements.
• Excellent communication skills (presentation, report writing, teaching/training).
• Work experience in team-oriented functions as well as individual contribution.
• Action oriented with good project management skills.

• DEMANDS:
• Work is completed primarily in an office/lab environment. Occasional pilot plant or manufacturing plant operational studies are required. Travel, approximately 10%, includes trips to operation plants, co-packers, vendors, and technical meetings.

• DISCLAIMER: The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job

WHAT WE OFFER

Our rich benefits packages are designed to support the health and well-being of both our eligible co-workers and their families.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Group Life and AD&D
• Voluntary Life and AD&D
• Group Short-Term Disability
• Group Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a culturally diverse organization. We strive for inclusiveness and a workplace where mutual respect is paramount. We encourage applications from a diverse pool of candidates, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or veteran status. We will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, as need, to assist them in performing essential job functions.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you are interested in applying for employment with Bolthouse Farms and need special assistance to apply for a posted position, or if you believe you do not meet any of the required qualifications of a posted position due to a protected disability and would like to explore the possibility of an accommodation, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at: TalentAcquisition@bolthouse.com for additional support and guidance.

• During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize that certain non-essential worker personnel may at times store consumer-facing materials (including, but not limited to, EADs, coupons, promotional materials, etc.) offsite from Company locations, such as at associates homes or in vehicles.All such consumer-facing materials must be maintained in a smoke-free and secure workplace environment .

RECRUITMENT AGENCIES:

Bolthouse Farms does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Bolthouse Farms is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

by Jobble