Microbiologist

**About Kerry**:

- Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

**About the role**:
Responsible for the efficient delivery of information from microbiological test results on incoming raw materials, packaging, in-process testing or assistance thereof, and contributes to the timely release of finished product quality certificates. To conduct his or her work assuring the safety of materials getting into and out of the site by adhering to the work principles of Kerry food safety and quality policy and standard.

**Key responsibilities**:

- Endeavors to complete each testing in the specified period and can release results or information as per pre-agreed timelines.
- Collects water, raw materials, in-process, and finished good samples in accordance to established sampling plan.
- Monitors (Air, Water, Surfaces, and Personnel Hygiene).
- Weekly Environmental Monitoring Program activities.
- Characterizes and identifies objectionable microorganisms.
- Prepares and sterilizes microbiological media and testing materials.
- Decontaminates and dispose of biohazard materials.
- Makes sure all testing records, certificates, materials, and products disposition are accurate and up to date for ease in analysis of the concerned.
- Helps ensure all quality assurance resources in support of manufacturing are always available
- Help in setting up company mandated quality and food safety systems and maintain continued certification to acquired Standards thereof
- Participates in process variance investigation as well as in productivity and quality improvement projects together with colleagues in other departments
- Helps ensure the reliability, functionality and on time calibration of the Micro lab equipment
- Will be able to do in-plant and off-plant supplier or system audits
- Practices GLP, laboratory safety and housekeeping procedures in accordance with SSHE, food safety and quality policies
- To be in training on the way to acquiring the skills of being able to do laboratory test methods in support of manufacturing activity
- Calibrates microbiological equipment and maintains records.
- Monitors inventory of culture media, test solutions/reagents, testing materials and supplies.
- Maintains microbiological laboratory areas and equipment.
- Reports non-compliance or deviations observed.
- Releases FG for dispatching and issues COA as required
- Prepares Product Release Orders.
- Executes cost-saving techniques/ measures and modifications to achieve substantial reduction in QC and work within the budget.
- Participates in continuous improvement of microbiological laboratory area, activities, and operations.
- Reports daily activities and analysis results (microbiological analysis report) and
- Reports the Weekly and Monthly Micro KPI’s.
- Coordinates the shelf-life study for all the SKUs with the right procedure Health & Safety
- Adheres with Health & safety work instructions.
- Identify health & safety issues and highlight to respective team for corrective actions.

**Qualifications and skills**:

- A graduate of BSs in Microbiology or a related field with specialty in Microbiology
- Relevant experience of at least 3 years total in a specialty or food manufacturing microlaboratory
- Understanding of product certification programs such as Kosher, Halal, and Organic
- Awareness on FSSC 22000, HACCP, SPC and AIB product safety system
- Understands GMP and GLP requirements
- Knowledge of food and facility security requirements
- Demonstrate ability to recognize and prevent microbial issues in existing or new system designs.
- Hands-on experience in microbiological analysis and sampling of in-process /finished products, packaging and raw materials, and environmental monitoring.
- Computer literate (Microsoft Office, etc.)
- Possesses initiative, teamwork spirit and passion for continuous learning and progress.
- Good in oral and written communication

**Competencies Required**:

- Consumer / customer satisfaction focused
- Understands “cost of quality
- Should be comfortable working in a fast changing and growing global environment where accountability, quality, timeliness are key components
- Performs work in collaborative manner

**Working condition**
- 5 days / 9 Hours (with 1 hour Break) working on shift basis, although will be expected to work such hours as required to ensure the responsibilities of this role are fulfilled or work during weekends.
- Reports to Laboratory Supervisor

**Key Measures**
- Product testings.
- Effective & efficiency meth