What You'll Be Doing: 

• Partner with site Quality Managers and Operations Leaders to ensure each site food safety program is current, effective, and managed at the site level.
• Develop and maintain corporate microbiological standards, policies, and procedures.
• Establish enterprise-wide environmental monitoring programs (EMP) aligned with regulatory expectations and industry best practices.
  • Lead root cause investigations and troubleshooting for presumptive positive pathogen findings and recommend corrective actions.
  • Oversee trend analysis of microbiological data and drive risk based decision making.
• Lead microbial risk assessments for ingredients, processes, and finished products.
• Standardize test methods, specifications, and validation protocols across all facilities.
• Serve as subject matter expert (SME) for microbiological compliance under applicable regulations (FDA, USDA, as applicable).
• Support FSMA preventive controls validation and verification activities.
• Assist with regulatory responses related to spoilage or microbial activity.
• Provide technical oversight to internal and third party laboratories.
• Evaluate and approve laboratory methods, validation studies, and rapid testing techniques.
• Review and interpret routine microbial sampling from manufacturing sites.
• Lead microbiological investigations where applicable during food safety incidents or recalls.
• Provide scientific guidance during product disposition decisions when necessary.
• Identify emerging microbiological risks and industry trends.
• Implement new technologies and methods to enhance detection and prevention.
• Train manufacturing team members on microbiological related best practices and risk mitigation (sampling and testing).
• Partner with site Quality Managers in troubleshooting microbial issues.

What You Bring with You (Qualifications): 

·       Ph.D or M.S. degree in Microbiology, Food Safety, or related fields 

·       Experience - functional/industry/commercial knowledge:

·       8+ years of relevant microbiology experience in the Food/Beverage manufacturing facilities 

·       Experience in multi-site organizations preferred.

·       Strong working knowledge of FSMA, HACCP, environmental monitoring programs, and pathogen control.

·       Expertise in foodborne pathogens (e.g. Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E.coli).

·       Proficiency in microbiological testing methods (culture- based, OCR, rapids methods).

·       Strong data interpretation and statistical trend analysis capabilities.

·       Risk assessment and validation expertise

·       Strong communication skills

·       Ability to collaborate and communicate with cross-functional stakeholders

·       Preferred  experience in ready to eat foods (RTE) and high risk categories.

·       PCQI and HACCP Certification preferred.

·       Travel 25-40%