Microbiologist jobs in Ellicott City, MD

McCormick & Company, Inc., a world leader in the spice, flavor and seasonings industry, is seeking a full-time Industrial Food Microbiologist Associate on the Quality Assurance team. The Industrial Food Microbiologist Associate will report to the Americas Regional Microbiologist. 

This new hire will work at one of our McCormick locations, located in the United States, or in a certain remote capacity.

McCormick & Company, Incorporated is a global leader in flavor with approximately 13,000 employees worldwide. As a Fortune 500 company with over $5 billion in annual sales across 160 countries and territories, we manufacture, market, and distribute spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavorful products to the entire food industry including e-commerce, retail,food manufacturers and foodservice businesses. Our most popular brands include McCormick, French's, Frank's RedHot, Stubb's, OLD BAY, Lawry's, Zatarain's, Ducros, Vahiné, Cholula, Schwartz, Kamis, DaQiao, Club House, Aeroplane, and Gourmet Garden. Every day, no matter where or what you eat or drink, you can enjoy food flavored by McCormick. Our Purpose is "To Stand Together for the Future of Flavor and our Vision is "A World United by Flavor—where healthy, sustainable and delicious go hand in hand."

As a company recognized for its exceptional commitment to employees, McCormick offers a wide variety of benefits, programs, and services. Benefits include, but are not limited to, tuition assistance, medical, dental, vision, disability, group life insurance, 401(k), profit sharing, paid holidays, and vacations.

Position Overview

Reporting into the Americas Regional Microbiologist, the Industrial Food Microbiologist Associate is responsible to apply science-based food safety and microbiology knowledge to facilitate the implementation and compliance of company-related microbiological standards. This position will help to manage laboratory standards and microbiological risk assessments of processes, ingredients, and finished products, and will provide critical support to ensure compliance to Corporate, Regulatory, and Customer requirements. 

Responsibilities

• Apply practical knowledge in Food Safety and Microbiology. Perform microbiological risk assessment on ingredients and formulations including reviews of food safety documentation.

• Support the development of procedures, methods, acceptance criteria, sampling plans, and specifications for ingredients, products, processes, and environments.  Facilitate the implementation and compliance of all company-related microbiological standards.

• Support root cause analysis, troubleshooting, and investigation to ensure timely resolution of deviations.

• Provide support to internal micro laboratories, including conducting training, audits, and managing relationships with lab personnel. Conduct audits and routine inspections of North American facilities and laboratories to determine compliance with SSOP, Microbiology laboratory requirements, company standards, and state and local laws.

• Manage environmental monitoring program, shelf-life, challenge studies and process validations, and other projects.

• Develop a scientific basis for performance standards. Build a library of acceptable/adequate validation methods/standards.  Conduct research of scientific publications and industry guidance to support science-based decisions.

• Conduct facilities and laboratory audits.

• Travel requirements of up to 30%

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (Microbiology, Food Science, Biology, or related). Master's degree preferred.

• 3 years relevant experience in applied food microbiology in the food industry in either a manufacturing facility or a commercial lab.

• PCQI and HACCP certified.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent analytical skills with large data sets.

• Understands regulatory requirements and science-based microbiological assessment, and is capable of applying these practices in different types of food products.

• Ability to follow directions, work well independently or in a group.

• Experience with USDA and FDA products.

• Laboratory Management experience preferred.

• Project Management experience preferred.

• Audit experience is a plus.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

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McCormick & Company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

As a general policy, McCormick does not offer employment visa sponsorships upon hire or in the future.