Corporate Microbiologist

About the role

This position provides scientific leadership in microbiology as relates to food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. It supports all Meijer Manufacturing facilities.

Responsibilities

• Partner with site Quality Managers and Operations Leaders to ensure each site food safety program is current, effective, and managed at the site level.
• Develop and maintain corporate microbiological standards, policies, and procedures.
• Establish enterprise-wide environmental monitoring programs (EMP) aligned with regulatory expectations and industry best practices.
• Lead root cause investigations and troubleshooting for presumptive positive pathogen findings and recommend corrective actions.
• Oversee trend analysis of microbiological data and drive risk based decision making.
• Lead microbial risk assessments for ingredients, processes, and finished products.
• Standardize test methods, specifications, and validation protocols across all facilities.
• Serve as subject matter expert (SME) for microbiological compliance under applicable regulations (FDA, USDA, as applicable).
• Support FSMA preventive controls validation and verification activities.
• Aid in regulatory responses related to spoilage or microbial activity.
• Provide technical oversight to internal and third party laboratories.
• Evaluate and approve laboratory methods, validation studies, and rapid testing techniques.
• Review and interpret lead microbiological investigations where applicable during food safety incidents or recalls.
• Provide scientific guidance during product disposition decisions when necessary.
• Identify emerging microbiological risks and industry trends.
• Implement new technologies and methods to enhance detection and prevention.
• Train manufacturing team members on microbiological related best practices and risk mitigation (sampling and testing).
• Partner with site Quality Managers in troubleshooting microbial issues.

Requirements

• Ph.D or M.S. degree in Microbiology, Food Safety, or related fields.
• Experience - functional/industry/commercial knowledge: 8+ years of relevant microbiology experience in the Food/Beverage manufacturing facilities.
• Strong working knowledge of FSMA, HACCP, environmental monitoring programs, and pathogen control.
• Expertise in foodborne pathogens (e.g. Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E.coli).
• Proficiency in microbiological testing methods (culture- based, OCR, rapids methods).
• Strong data interpretation and statistical trend analysis capabilities.
• Risk assessment and validation expertise.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with cross-functional stakeholders.

Preferred experience

• Preferred experience in ready to eat foods (RTE) and high risk categories.
• PCQI and HACCP Certification preferred.