Quality Assurance Microbiologist

Employment Type: Salaried
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Employment Status: Full-Time Permanent

Position Summary:

Ensures microbiological analysis of raw materials and finished products is occurring in a timely, efficient manner and following all corporate and industry accepted methods. Maintain microbiological records to ensure that audit records meet or exceed regulatory and customer's requirement. Review, monitor and report findings from records, (i.e. Pathogen Environmental Monitoring). Provide support to micro events when occur at plant level. May be Responsible for microbiological lab functions including vendor management, calibration, verification, and maintenance of equipment, supply management, and support of customer and or third party audits.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct and manage microbiological analysis on finished products, raw ingredients and customer complaints determine their compliance with specifications. May lead root cause analysis investigation for out of spec results related to finished goods, customer complaints, and raw materials.
• Support sanitation program which may include but not limited to pre-operational inspections, micro swabbing ATP testing, visual inspections to assess the sanitary state of the processing area and equipment. Monitor cleaning and sanitation activities of the sanitation crew to assure compliance with established procedures. Support Quality Assurance Leader and sanitation team in commissioning new equipment and or construction activities.
• Attend monthly meetings lead by HQ Principle Microbiologist which may includes presenting plant learnings, implementing new testing methodologies and sharing with all applicable parties.
• Prepare environmental swabs submission. Support PEM investigations when experiencing a presumptive and or confirmed positive pathogen result. Follow escalation model as written in Corporate Pathogen Environmental Monitoring policy to ensure information is reported in timely fashion and to the appropriate personnel. Review and update the plants Pathogen Environmental Monitoring site list in conjunction with HQ Principle Microbiologist.
• Ensure HQ QA micro policies comply with audit standards for regulatory customer, and internal requirements.
• Support effectiveness of Food Safety Plans as directed by Quality Assurance Leader.
• Participate in compliance of corporate cross check procedure for microbiological testing with plant Quality Assurance Leader and follow corrective action and escalation guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Quality Assurance Leader and /or Sr. Microbiologist.
• Maintain micro lab in a clean atmosphere by ordering supplies, equipment (calibration/verifications).

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors of Science Degree in Microbiology/Biology/Food Science or related scientific discipline highly preferred.
• 1 year or more experience in a related position highly preferred.
• Demonstrated increasing responsibility in a fast-paced manufacturing environment in the food or related industry.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English; utilize time in an efficient manner and be able to work with minimal supervision.
• Basic understanding of Microsoft Suite.
• Understanding of basic math and statistics.
• Knowledge of laboratory safe practices for handling equipment, chemicals and glassware.
• Knowledge of the basic principles of Microbiology highly preferred.
• Knowledge of HACCP/FSMA/GFSI/CFIA highly preferred.
• Related certifications are a plus.

Why Join Us:

Ventura Foods innovates and manufactures food solutions for foodservice and retail businesses. We make exclusive products for the world's most iconic restaurants and retailers, we provide ready-to-go product solutions for professional kitchens, and we make consumer brands everyone knows and loves. When you work for Ventura Foods, you get a strong foundation of training, a manager who cares about you and celebrates your success, a safe environment, and challenging work. As part of our team, your future is limited only by how much you’re willing to push yourself to get there. We invest in your growth because you invest in ours.

Ventura Foods offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits, with coverage beginning on your 1st day of employment.

• Health, Prescription Drugs, Dental & Vision
• RRSP Program
• Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Short & Long Term Disability, Out of Country/Emergency Medical Travel, and other optional benefits.
• Employee Appreciation Events and Employee Assistance Programs
• College Assistance Program
• Annual salary Base Range of $59,462.00 - $74,298.00*

*The “base salary range” provided above is a good faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this position in the specified markets. Ventura Foods Canada reserves the right to pay outside of the given range based on a variety of factors including but not limited to: candidate skills and experience, complexity of the job, budgetary factors, and location/geography. Ventura Foods Canada conducts regular reviews of compensation ranges and therefore reserves the right to alter this range at any given time.

Physical Demands:
All jobs require sufficient physical strength and dexterity to perform the required task(s) and typically also require at a minimum: intermittent sitting, standing, walking, climbing, squatting, kneeling, pushing, and pulling. Occasional lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds or more with assistance may also be required. Please see the job description for specific requirements.

Work Environment:
Please see the job description for specific requirements of the position for which you are applying.

Typical shifts are 8-12 hours per day. Additional unscheduled time after hours and on weekends may also be required. Employees must be willing and able to wear personal protective equipment as required by Company policy and/or legal requirements. In addition, certain jobs may require employees to:

• Work outside and/or in adverse temperatures which could include extreme heat, cold, and humidity;
• Be exposed to vibrations, chemicals used in operations, fumes and food allergens (may include soy, dairy and other allergens); and
• Be required to work in confined and dark spaces, and at heights in excess of 18 feet.

Diversity & Inclusion:
Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment in which all employees are treated with respect is evident in our company culture and values. We believe that fostering an environment of inclusion and a focus on diversity across our organization is vital to attracting top talent, driving innovation, and meeting the high expectations of our customers in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.

Ventura Foods Canada is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds. We welcome and encourage all qualified applicants to apply. Accommodations for persons with disabilities are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Ventura Foods Canada may use AI in certain steps of the recruitment process.