Microbiologist

What You Will Do

• Perform microbiological testing of finished products and raw materials as needed.
• Conduct testing for indicator organisms (APC, yeast/mold, coliforms, Enterobacteriaceae, etc.).
• Prepare media, reagents, and lab supplies according to approved methods and procedures.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment (incubators, autoclaves, PCR systems, pipettes, etc.).
• Ensure accurate documentation of results in laboratory systems.
• Perform microbiological testing as needed in support of investigations, process and packaging validations, equipment validations, or other internal studies.

Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP)

• Execute and support the facility Environmental Monitoring Program, including Zone 1–4 sampling.
• Trend environmental results and identify recurring contamination risks.
• Support corrective actions and verification activities following positive results.
• Ensure proper sample collection techniques, handling, storage, and chain-of-custody practices.

Data Trending, Reporting & Documentation

• Trend microbiological data and generate weekly/monthly reports for QA & QC leadership.
• Support product release decisions by ensuring all microbiological criteria are met.
• Identify abnormal trends and escalate concerns to management.
• Maintain laboratory documentation in compliance with GMPs and audit standards.
• Ensure testing methods and records meet SQF, customer, and regulatory requirements.

Investigations & Corrective Actions

• Lead or support investigations related to microbiological failures, presumptive positives, and environmental hits.
• Support root cause analysis (RCA), CAPA development, and effectiveness checks.
• Affiliate with sanitation validation and verification activities, including ATP correlation and swab studies.
• Assist with hold/release decisions and risk assessments when microbiological deviations occur.

Regulatory And Audit Support

• Ensure compliance with applicable food safety regulations.
• Support internal audits, third-party audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Maintain readiness of microbiology-related documentation for inspection and audit review.
• Affiliate with validation documentation and verification records related to microbial control programs.

Continuous Improvement

• Recommend improvements to lab methods, sample plans, and environmental monitoring strategies.
• Participate in cross-functional teams supporting sanitation improvements and preventive controls.
• Support training for operators and sanitation teams on contamination control and hygienic practices.

Leadership & Development

• Serve as the primary technical microbiology resource for the QC Laboratory, providing hands-on training in aseptic technique, rapid method operation (Mérieux BacT), and the nuances of low-acid/high-acid microbiology.
• Design and execute annual proficiency testing and "shadowing" sessions to verify laboratory personnel’s techniques, ensuring they meet SQF training requirements and prevent false-positive results during testing and environmental swabbing.
• Train and supervise the microbiology laboratory to ensure all laboratory activities are performed with absolute consistency, maintaining a "Gold Standard" that can be replicated across other facility locations.