Microbiologist, Food Safety

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise on microbiological monitoring and sanitation programs and procedures
• Serve as a technical resource to the plant, including providing expertise regarding food safety impacts of proposed changes to processes and equipment and providing basic training on food safety and microbiology as needed.
• Prepare media and equipment, conduct plant sampling based on approved procedures, conduct analyses, and prepare and issue reports.
• Conduct in-plant audits of processes and sanitation procedures and review results of product and environmental testing to evaluate plant performance and identify opportunities for improvement or trends requiring additional investigation.
• In conjunction with the Quality Assurance Manager and Corporate Microbiologist, takes a lead role in performing investigations in response to nonconforming microbiological results. Carries out investigative sampling and analysis, performs process and facility audits, and communicates cross-functionally with personnel in all departments to identify the root cause of deviations and implement corrective and preventive measures.
• Supports Quality Assurance department operations as needed and other projects as assigned.
• Plan and assist in the CFS Swab-a-Thon program in conjunction with the corporate lab and QA departments at all facilities.
• Trend and report out plant microbiological results and investigation results to plant management.
• Research and test innovative industry interventions to improve plant hygiene, product safety, and/or product shelf life.

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Safety, Microbiology, or related discipline with course work in food microbiology.
• Experience in a meat science laboratory with demonstrated proficiency in microbiological testing protocol preferred.
• Three to five years of experience in a Quality Assurance or Food Safety role in a food processing facility preferred.