Microbiologist

SUMMARY:
To conduct microbiological sampling and analysis throughout the production process.

POSITION INFO:

Microbiologist

Job Purpose

To conduct microbiological sampling and analysis throughout the production process.

Key Accountabilities and Outputs

Aseptic Sampling 

• Treated water, ingredients, final syrups and final products 
• Swabs 
• Air plates

Analysis 

• Treated water, ingredients, final syrups and final products 
• Swabs 
• Air 
• Product Shelf Life Analysis 
• Performs secondary confirmation tests 
• Incubation of analysed samples 
• Sub culturing of live bacteria cultures

Documentation and Record Keeping 

• Interpretation of results 
• Recording of results 
• Generates Trends for micro results

General Reporting 

• Raises any out of spec result with QA Supervisor 
• Issues isolation/ release instructions to the DC in consultation with Quality Manager 
• Reports any faulty equipment to QC Supervisor 
• Raises any emerging trends that might have potential food safety risks 
• Trouble shooting/investigations on ingredients, environmental or processing risk related issues 
• Enforces Good Lab Practices 
• Enforce Food Safety Requirements

Adherence to the Quality, Food Safety, Health, Safety and Environmental Standards 

• Adherence to Standards: Ensure strict adherence to Quality, Food, Health, Safety and Environmental policies and standards. 
• Enforcement: Enforce all food safety and health regulations, policies, and requirements at all times to guarantee a secure work environment. 
• Personal Hygiene: Maintain exceptional personal hygiene as per the organization’s code of conduct. 
• Contamination Control: Raise awareness about potential physical product contamination and implement control measures to prevent it. 
• health and Safety Measures: Take reasonable precautions to prevent health and safety hazards. Follow the prescribed incident reporting procedure in case of accidents. 
• Knowledge and Compliance: Stay updated with relevant business information, policies, processes, and procedures. Enforce compliance with legislative and statutory requirements, as well as GMP’s (Good Manufacturing Practices).
• Training: Attend and enforce the implementation of learnings from training sessions related to Quality, Food Safety, and Health and Safety. 
• Housekeeping: Maintain high levels of cleanliness and orderliness within the work environment.

Qualifications and Experience 

• National Diploma / NQF 6 in Food (Essential) 
• Upto 3 years experience (Operational Execution) Technical, FMCG 
• Basic MS Excel; MS Word; E Mail