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Food Microbiologist - CPG Manufacturing and Technology SME

Posted Date:  Nov 23, 2024
Requisition Number:  119872

Job Location: Hershey, PA  

Technical Center

 

 

Job Summary:

This position is responsible for providing microbiological SME support to the manufacturing and co-manufacturing plants, supplier quality management (SQM), R&D, and the micro service team. SME support includes but not limited to advanced micro detection technical support, complex micro issue troubleshooting at manufacturing, supplier, and co-manufacturing plants, using data to assess process control, and advising on micro sampling/specs for low water activity food matrices. Individual will also be responsible for design, conduct, and report research projects to serve business needs. 

Role Responsibilities:

Micro SME Support

  • Provide technical support for advanced micro detection methodologies. Conduct literature reviews and advise on methods modification and optimization.
  • Partner with micro team and/or plant QA staff to troubleshooting complex micro incidents in micro lab, manufacturing environments and/or products. Coach technicians or other lab team members for development in this area.
  • Assist with new project work microbiological evaluation & risk assessments. Conduct microbiological risk assessments of manufacturing lines as needed.
  • Review and trend the environmental microbiological monitoring program (EMMP) and product testing results and provide holistically recommendations. Support in EMMP CAPA processes,
  • Conduct Internal & External audits for microbiological control programs and effectiveness.
  • Continuously review and improve micro related policies, standards, and procedures based on evolving of food micro landscape, industry directions, and lessons learned internally and externally.
  • Responsible for design, conduct, and report research projects to serve business needs. 
  • Provide technical support for microbiological risk assessments of new ingredients and evaluate adequacy of thermal validation studies and risk assessment provided by the supplier.

Micro SME Support

  • Provide technical support for advanced micro detection methodologies. Conduct literature reviews and advise on methods modification and optimization.
  • Partner with micro team and/or plant QA staff to troubleshooting complex micro incidents in micro lab, manufacturing environments and/or products. Coach technicians or other lab team members for development in this area.
  • Assist with new project work microbiological evaluation & risk assessments. Conduct microbiological risk assessments of manufacturing lines as needed.
  • Review and trend the environmental microbiological monitoring program (EMMP) and product testing results and provide holistic recommendations. Support in EMMP CAPA processes,
  • Conduct Internal & External audits for microbiological control programs and effectiveness.
  • Continuously review and improve micro related policies, standards, and procedures based on evolving of food micro landscape, industry directions, and lessons learned internally and externally.
  • Responsible for design, conduct, and report research projects to serve business needs. 
  • Provide technical support for microbiological risk assessments of new ingredients and evaluate adequacy of thermal validation studies and risk assessment provided by the supplier.
  • Support finished product and ingredient specification development & reviews.
  • Support R&D & innovation QA team for microbiological food safety risk evaluations
  • Conduct thermal process validation & verification activities as needed.
  • Ability to apply statistical analytical methodologies to describe process and product characterizations.

Leadership, management & knowledge sharing

  • Provide micro data analytics for decision-making & prevention strategy building.
  • Collaborative projects with internal and external stakeholders (QA, sanitation, R&D, Engineering, etc.)
  • Promote Hershey culture and takes necessary time to coach staff.
  • Understands the common business goals of the company through the alignment of all departments and labs.
  • Make recommendations to improve quality & efficiency by working closely with Laboratory, production & engineering teams.
  • Complete & review all data deviations with lab team as needed.
  • Provides microbiological safety training/education for knowledge sharing targeting food safety behavioral change.
  • Communicates and interact professionally with co-workers, management, etc.

 

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:

  •   A robust working technical knowledge of food microbiology and food science processes and/or instrumentation to identify and recommend control and/or monitoring techniques for food safety and quality.
  • Experience in working with foodborne pathogens related to low water activity foods.
  • Experience in conducting failure analysis and root cause investigation.
  • Superior working knowledge of regulatory and quality system requirements –HACCP, HARPC, Good Manufacturing Process (GMP), Sanitation principles, etc.
  • PCQI certification
  • Better Process Control School: Process authority certification preferred.
  • Great communication skills in verbal and written form.
  • Interprets and evaluates complex information, while identifying defect patterns and quality related issues.
  • Ability to effectively interact and explain complex ideas with all levels of employees.
  • Robust understanding of a production / manufacturing environment.
  • Perform work consistently with established work and safety procedures.
  • Working knowledge and comfort in aseptic technique and microbiological test methods
  • Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops,

reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, participating in

professional societies.

  • Proficiency in computer programs / software such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point, QIMS and LIMS system.

 

Education:

M.S. in Food Microbiology, Food Science, or related science field

 

Experience:

 

3+ years of manufacturing plant and microbiology laboratory experience handling microbiological root cause analyses & Environmental Microbiological Monitoring Programs

 

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