Microbiologist

Position

Objective:

The Microbiologist is responsible for supporting the production and quality assurance of yeast at the manufacturing facility. This role ensures the integrity of yeast processes by conducting microbiological testing on all in-process and finished products, as well as monitoring for microbial contamination through comprehensive environmental surveillance. The Microbiologist will lead microbiological investigations, perform root cause analyses, and drive continuous improvement initiatives in microbiological processes to maintain high standards of product quality and food safety.

Key Result Areas:

Performance Standards:

Core Values

• Continuously exhibit and set the example for others in display of Company values: Customer Centric, Ambitious, Proactive, Innovative, Collaborative and Accountable.

Quality Control,

Quality Assurance &

Regulatory Requirements

• Responsible for seed culture management and inoculation
• Develop and manage a proactive monitoring plan for all aspects of the plant Microbiological health. 
• Monitor all inputs ensuring compliance to YQMS & YLMS standards and Food Safety and Quality regulations pertaining to yeast products and processes including air and water. 
• Serve as the subject matter expert to support the plant sanitation processes and programs.
• Enhance existing Environmental Monitoring program through microbiological risk assessments and data analysis.
• Monitor and report Environmental Monitoring in process and finished product testing results and recommend improvements.
• Comply with Good Laboratory Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant food safety and certification agency regulations (e.g., FDA, State, GFSI, SQF, Kosher, NGP, Organic).
• Assist with the execution of HACCP and prerequisite programs related to sanitation programs.
•  Support plant audits and 2nd/3rd party inspections (FDA, SQF, ISO, Customer, etc.).
•  Develop, implement, review and maintain microbiological laboratory procedures as required by YLMS and YQMS.
• Maintain sample test requirements and ensure collection of required samples and timely testing including verification and validation of products and programs.
• Develop and establish microbiological food safety objectives that align with regulatory requirements and company standards, ensuing continuous improvement of food safety culture.

Responsible for calibration and verification/validation of microbiological testing equipment.

Reporting/Support

• Notify Plant Quality Manager if any results are above specification or out of compliance. 
• Monitor and report any microbial results that fall outside customer specification requirements. Investigate deviations from product quality standards, identify and address root causes, and ensure all customer qualification requirements are consistently met or exceeded.
• Assist with microbial investigations of customer concerns where applicable, including effective corrective and preventative actions.
• Investigate exceptions to product quality and food safety standards, identify and correct root causes, and ensure all customer qualification requirements are met or exceeded.
• Work with the Maintenance team and Quality Manager to assess Preventative Maintenance tasks that impact the plant microbial environment.
• Participate and contribute to continuous improvement plant projects that impact plant product quality and food safety.
•  Support continuous improvement agendas ensuring timely analysis of microbial results. 
• Serve as the Microbiology SME ensuring lab technicians are trained and competent in microbial technique and testing procedures.
•  Prepare all media used for microbiological analysis.
• Demonstrate continuous improvement in sanitary practices, methods, and training.

Financial Control

• Assist with CAPEX process as required and support purchase of equipment that impacts the microbiological health of the facility and finished product.

Maintain adequate inventory of laboratory supplies within budget.

Human Resources

• Comply with HR policies and procedures and all relevant employment laws.

Serve as backup to the Quality Manager for scheduling and supervision of lab technicians. 

Other

• Other duties as assigned
• Participate in all internal YLMS, GLP and Interlab activities.
• Ongoing development/training as required.
• Available to work weekends, holidays and off shifts as required to support operational needs.

A combination of the listed skills and knowledge is preferred

• Bachelor’s degree Microbiology required.
• Three to five years of experience working in a microbiology laboratory required.
• SQF Practitioner is certified and experienced with audits, internal and third party; PCQI certification preferred.
• Food Safety/HACCP training (certification is preferred)
• Experience in developing, implementing and managing plant sanitation programs in food manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience with implementing food hygiene procedures and food safety requirements preferred
• Process and/or product development experience preferred.
• Good organizational, analytical, prioritization and critical thinking skills
• Budgeting and cost control experience
• Advanced computer skills in Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Visio
• Knowledge of food safety and environmental regulations and compliance

working conditions

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk, hear and smell. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is sometimes exposed to airborne particles and chemicals. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts. The employee frequently works in high places and is infrequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.

Other Factors

• Occasional travel