QA Microbiologist

Location : Ontario

Employment Type : Hourly

Shift : First

Work Arrangement : Onsite

Position Summary :

Conduct microbiological analysis on raw materials and finished products to ensure product integrity and safe, quality food. Has additional responsibility in the areas of chemical and physical analysis of raw ingredients and finished goods, record keeping and troubleshooting sanitation concerns, environmental testing and any other duties as assigned by manager or supervisor.

Major Duties and Responsibilities :

• Conduct microbiological analysis on raw ingredients and finished products to determine their compliance with specifications. Follow up with the first line action steps as necessary (product hold, vendor contacts, releasing product, etc.)
• Notify QA Manager when a product is out of specification or when a potential problem exists.  Interact with the purchasing, production and warehouse managers to resolve problems
• Maintains microbiological lab equipment and supplies. Oversees calibration of critical laboratory equipment to ensure conformity to standards. Assures that media are prepared in a timely manner. Prepares media for microbiological testing use
• Assures microbiological records are current and accurate
• Provide support to the Senior Microbiologist in conducting inspections and testing to assess the sanitary state of the processing areas and reports results to management. Monitors cleaning and sanitation activities of the sanitation crew to assure compliance with established procedures. Provide support to the Senior Microbiologist in making and executing recommendations based on the analysis for remedial action. Provide support to the  QA sanitation supervisor  on allergen validations
• Provide assistance to the Senior Microbiologist working with Research and Development in assessing new product stability, risk factors and conducting challenge studies. Provide assistance to the QA Manager and Senior Microbiologist in conducting investigative studies
• Assist the Senior Microbiologist in providing microbiology trainings to the HACCP team. Assist in   validating HACCP compliance for new lines. Maintain knowledge base of new technologies in microbiology
• Conduct microbiological analysis on finished products and environmental swabs for other locations to determine compliance with company or customer specifications. Convey environmental results to VP Quality Assurance in a timely manner
• Assure that all sanitation and housekeeping practices are being followed according to expectations, and responsible for following all food safety policies, procedures and regulatory criteria including the current SQF code, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and associated preventive controls
• Other duties as assigned; travel may be required

Education and Experience :

Knowledge and Skills :

Why Join Us :

Ventura Foods offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits :

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 :

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 is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.