Microbiologist(Specialist)

Job Description: Executive – Microbiology Function: Quality / Food Safety Department: Quality Assurance Location: Foods Manufacturing Plant Position: Executive – Microbiology Reporting to: Quality Manager / Microbiology Manager 1. Job Purpose To ensure microbiological safety and quality of raw materials, packaging materials, process environment, water, finished products, and manufacturing operations through effective microbiological testing, environmental monitoring, hygiene verification, trend analysis, investigation, and preventive controls. 2. Key Responsibilities Microbiological Testing & Laboratory Management Perform/review microbiological analysis of raw materials, finished products, water and environmental samples as per approved specifications and test methods. Ensure testing for relevant indicator, spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms based on product risk and approved testing plans. Ensure timely release/reporting of microbiological test results and immediate escalation of out-of-specification or abnormal results. Maintain microbiology laboratory controls covering media preparation, sterilization, incubation, culture handling, equipment verification and laboratory housekeeping. Ensure microbiology laboratory equipment is calibrated/verified and fit for use. Maintain appropriate microbiological cultures/reference materials and associated records as applicable. Environmental Monitoring & Hygiene Execute and continuously review the plant Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) based on zoning and microbiological risk. Conduct/review hygiene monitoring including equipment/product-contact surface swabs, environmental swabs, air monitoring and personnel hygiene verification, as applicable. Monitor microbiological trends and identify recurring contamination or hygiene concerns. Support validation and verification of cleaning and sanitation/CIP programs from a microbiological perspective. Participate in hygiene inspections and GMP assessments across production, warehouse and utility areas. Food Safety & Compliance Support implementation and verification of food-safety controls aligned with the site's HACCP/Food Safety Management System. Support compliance with applicable FSSC 22000/ISO 22000, FSSAI and internal company requirements. Participate in internal, external, certification and regulatory audits. Maintain microbiology-related SOPs, specifications, test methods, records and laboratory documentation in a state of audit readiness. Support microbiological risk assessment during process/product changes, new product introduction and validation activities. Investigation, CAPA & Continuous Improvement Investigate microbiological OOS/OOT results, environmental-monitoring excursions and hygiene failures. Lead/support root-cause analysis and CAPA, including assessment of potential product and food-safety implications. Perform periodic trending of product, water, environmental and hygiene microbiological results.