Microbiology & Food Safety Program Lead

As a Plant Quality Assurance Microbiologist, your primary responsibility will be to ensure the microbiology laboratory functions operate in full compliance with company requirements. You will need to leverage your expertise in Microbiology to provide leadership, conduct training, troubleshoot issues, and audit microbiological methods and best practices. Additionally, you will be interacting with customers to understand their expectations and ensure compliance, while working closely with operations to identify trends, develop action plans, and drive CAPA development based on data. Your duties will include overseeing the full compliance of the Baramati plant's main microbiology laboratory, ensuring its safe and accurate functioning. You will be responsible for hiring, retaining, training, and coaching team members, as well as conducting internal audits to ensure compliance with internal, regulatory, and customer requirements. Evaluating partner performance, maintaining compliance with ISO 17025 or good laboratory practices, and actively participating in continuous improvement processes related to food safety and sanitation will also be part of your role. In addition to microbiology functions, you will be involved in leading continuous improvement initiatives and providing support related to food safety and sanitation improvements at the Baramati plant and other plants in the India region as needed. Collaboration with EQFS SFI microbiologists will be essential in this role. Key Responsibilities: - Serve as a leader and technical resource in microbiology, collaborating with operations leaders on various aspects including sampling plans, process capabilities, troubleshooting, and projects. - Coordinate with external labs, meet with customers to discuss programs and results, and work on risk assessments for HACCP and product quality. - Lead the microbiology team, manage lab accreditation requirements, promote safe working environments, and optimize sampling and workload. - Implement and ensure adherence to laboratory information systems, maintain compliance with Good Laboratory Practices and customer testing expectations. - Develop and promote Food Safety and Quality Culture through training, coaching, and continuous improvement initiatives. - Support food safety evaluation projects, troubleshoot issues at other plants, and assist in system development and improvement. - Track and maintain department budgets, plan for laboratory and food safety-related capex. Qualifications: - M. Sc in Microbiology - 10+ years of experience in Quality Assurance, Food Safety, or Production - Sound knowledge of microbiology analysis of food and food products - Experience with HACCP and food safety risk assessment - Strong performance, technical communication, documentation, and leadership skills - Proficiency in interpersonal and communication skills, including English - Strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a results-oriented mindset - Ability to escalate situations, make timely business decisions, and embrace new challenges - Willingness to travel up to 5-10% If you possess the required qualifications and skills, and are eager to contribute to ensuring microbiological compliance and food safety at our plant, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding opportunity.,