QA Microbiologist

Position Summary:

Conduct microbiological analysis on raw materials and finished products to ensure product integrity and safe, quality food. Has additional responsibility in the areas of chemical and physical analysis of raw ingredients and finished goods, record keeping and troubleshooting sanitation concerns, environmental testing and any other duties as assigned by manager or supervisor.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct microbiological analysis on raw ingredients and finished products to determine their compliance with specifications. Follow up with the first line action steps as necessary (product hold, vendor contacts, releasing product, etc.)
• Notify QA Manager when a product is out of specification or when a potential problem exists.  Interact with the purchasing, production and warehouse managers to resolve problems
• Maintains microbiological lab equipment and supplies. Oversees calibration of critical laboratory equipment to ensure conformity to standards. Assures that media are prepared in a timely manner. Prepares media for microbiological testing use
• Assures microbiological records are current and accurate
• Provide support to the Senior Microbiologist in conducting inspections and testing to assess the sanitary state of the processing areas and reports results to management. Monitors cleaning and sanitation activities of the sanitation crew to assure compliance with established procedures. Provide support to the Senior Microbiologist in making and executing recommendations based on the analysis for remedial action. Provide support to the  QA sanitation supervisor  on allergen validations
• Provide assistance to the Senior Microbiologist working with Research and Development in assessing new product stability, risk factors and conducting challenge studies. Provide assistance to the QA Manager and Senior Microbiologist in conducting investigative studies
• Assist the Senior Microbiologist in providing microbiology trainings to the HACCP team. Assist in   validating HACCP compliance for new lines. Maintain knowledge base of new technologies in microbiology
• Conduct microbiological analysis on finished products and environmental swabs for other locations to determine compliance with company or customer specifications. Convey environmental results to VP Quality Assurance in a timely manner
• Assure that all sanitation and housekeeping practices are being followed according to expectations, and responsible for following all food safety policies, procedures and regulatory criteria including the current SQF code, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and associated preventive controls
• Other duties as assigned; travel may be required

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology, Biology, Food Science or equivalent experience
• 1-3 years of experience in Microbiology, Biology, Food Science
• Food manufacturing lab environment experience in microbiology preferred

Knowledge and Skills:

• Must have the ability to read, write and communicate effectively in the English language
• Must utilize time in an efficient manner and be able to work with minimal supervision
• Basic understanding of Microsoft Word and Excel computer-based programs
• Understanding of rudimentary algebraic equations and basic mathematical statistics
• Must possess a basic understanding of the principles of microbiology and microbiological analysis and testing including knowledge of laboratory safe practices for handling equipment, chemicals and glassware; laboratory clean-up methods and procedures used to perform quantitative analysis of microorganisms in food, water samples, and environmental specimens; and knowledge of the methods and procedures used to identify pathogenic organisms in water, environmental specimens, and food products