Food Microbiologist - CPG Manufacturing and Technology SME

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