Microbiologist

Responsibilities

• Perform microbiological analysis on raw materials, processing water, environmental samples, and finished beverage or powder products
• Detect and identify spoilage microorganisms, including yeasts, molds, bacteria, and foodborne pathogens
• Conduct routine environmental monitoring through surface swabs, air sampling, and sanitation verification
• Evaluate the effectiveness of cleaning and sanitation programs, including Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems
• Isolate, identify, and quantify microbial contaminants using standard microbiological techniques
• Investigate contamination sources and support root cause analysis for microbiological deviations
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, microbiological reports, and Certificates of Analysis (COAs)
• Ensure compliance with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), biosafety procedures, and laboratory quality standards
• Monitor and calibrate laboratory equipment, including incubators, autoclaves, and other microbiological instruments
• Perform quality control checks on culture media and laboratory reagents
• Collaborate with QA/QC and Production teams to investigate product spoilage, contamination incidents, and out-of-specification (OOS) results
• Report microbiological deviations promptly and support product hold and corrective action procedures

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Food Microbiology, Biotechnology, Food Science, or a related field
• Minimum 3 years of experience as a Microbiologist within the Food & Beverage Manufacturing industry
• Hands-on experience in microbiological testing of beverages, food products, raw materials, and processing water
• Strong knowledge of microbiological analysis techniques, pathogen detection, and environmental monitoring
• Familiarity with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), GMP, HACCP, ISO 22000, and food safety regulations
• Experience using laboratory equipment such as incubators, autoclaves, microscopes, and microbiological testing instruments
• Strong analytical, documentation, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to investigate contamination events and support corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in beverage, juice, dairy, or powdered food manufacturing
• Knowledge of Clean-In-Place (CIP) validation and environmental hygiene monitoring
• Familiarity with microbiological Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and Out-of-Specification (OOS) investigations
• Exposure to shelf-life studies and food safety management systems