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