Senior Manager Microbiology Laboratory Operations

Position summary:
Job Location: Hershey, PA

Job Summary:

This position is responsible for leading the Microbiology Laboratory Operations section of the Manufacturing Quality Systems & Laboratory Operations Center of Excellence. The team of employees encompasses a range of mid to senior level Scientists. This individual takes a lead role in establishing the company's Microbiological Control Program for Supply Chain Operations with a focus on manufacturing and provides oversight to microbiological testing protocols and practices for our global operations.

The Senior Manager provides leadership and oversight to various project assignments such as methods development, technical troubleshooting, microbiological control validation studies, support of R&D product development projects, and oversight of laboratory accreditation and data management programs.

Additionally, this individual provides leadership, development, support, and guidance as the Microbiological Subject Matter Expert for the microbiological safety and quality of our products and processes.

Role Responsibilities:

Leadership, Strategy and Support. Provide leadership to the development, implementation and execution of the Microbiological Control Program for Manufacturing and Supply Chain Operations. In conjunction with Director, Manufacturing Quality Systems & Laboratory Operations Managers establish strategy for Microbiological Food Safety as part of overall Food Safety Management System for Supply Chain relative to key initiatives and activities, technology advances, personnel development, and resource needs.

Provide leadership to personnel and activities of the Microbiology Laboratory Operations team. This team is responsible for product quality analyses, food safety and regulatory verification testing. The Senior Manager provides leadership and direction ensure reliability of testing, use of appropriate methodology and oversight of accredited laboratory quality management program.

Set the vision and strategy for future operations of the microbiology laboratory team including but not limited to leveraging advances in technology for reliable and rapid testing, advanced technology, and testing capabilities to streamline operations and identification of organisms of concern and ensuring resource development to support advances.

Subject Matter Expertise / Project Management. Serve as technical expert to internal customers and partners relative to microbiological control programs including but not limited to thermal process validations, environmental microbiological control, food safety design for microbiological safety, sanitation and microbiological control, product monitoring, and microbiological testing methodology and technical advances. Provide direction for performing testing and troubleshooting for problem identification, root cause analysis and solution in support of R&D, CI, and Manufacturing. Provide technical expertise to key stakeholders . Serve as Microbiological expert on cross functional teams relative to food safety, quality and regulatory requirements and improvements. Lead and manage projects of high complexity.

Benchmark with external companies and participate in industry groups to stay abreast of technological advances in field of microbiology, understand evolving Microbiological and Environmental Control Program initiatives and activities, and stay abreast of Codex and regulatory changes relative to microbiological control and food safety.

Qualifications:

• • BS degree in Microbiology or food science with an emphasis in Food Microbiology plus 10+ years of commercial or CPG microbiology leadership experience. Preferred MS degree in Microbiology and 7 years of microbiology laboratory leadership experience; or PhD in Microbiology and 5 years of microbiology laboratory leadership
  • Proven success in a supervisory/leadership role in a microbiology laboratory that supports food manufacturing. International working experience a plus A robust working technical knowledge of food microbiology & food science processes and/or instrumentation
  • Working Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices, and Regulatory requirements for food safety and microbiology including understanding of FDA FSMA and New Era of Smarter Food Safety
  • Working knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices and Sanitation principles.
  • PCQI certification required
  • Better Process Control School: Process authority certification preferred.
  • Experience in conducting failure analysis & root cause investigation.
  • Ability to lead & influence change
  • Able to cultivate a wide range of internal networks and develop and extensive external network
  • Team player able to bring diverse people and opinions together to provide optimal solutions
  • Superior communication skills in verbal and written form. Advanced presentation and communication skills.
  • Ability to explain complex concepts to non-technical audiences.
  • Ability to effectively interact with all levels of employees.
  • Ability to develop, sponsor, and support the introduction of new and improved methods, products, procedures, and technologies.
  • Ability to make business decisions considering strategic company objectives
  • Advanced problem solving/trouble shooting skills
  • Understanding of a production / manufacturing environment
  • Function as both an individual contributor and overall manager of activities in a matrixed organization.
  • Advanced proficiency in computer programs / software such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point, SharePoint.

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The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans

If you require a reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact the HR Service Center (askhr@hersheys.com).