Food Microbiologist - CPG Manufacturing and Technology SME

Company: The Hershey Company
Location: Hershey
Posted on: September 5, 2024

Job Description:

Job Location: Hershey, PA

T echnical 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

Keywords: The Hershey Company, Harrisburg , Food Microbiologist - CPG Manufacturing and Technology SME, IT / Software / Systems , Hershey, Pennsylvania