Microbiologist - Beverage Industry

Job Overview

ERAM Talent is recruiting a skilled Microbiologist specialized in the beverage industry. The primary duty involves conducting comprehensive microbiological testing across raw materials, water, production environments, and final products to confirm adherence to food safety and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out microbiological assays on raw inputs, processing water, environmental specimens, and finished beverage or powder-based products.
• Identify spoilage-causing microbes such as yeasts, molds, bacteria, and pathogenic organisms affecting food safety.
• Implement routine environmental checks including surface swabbing, air quality sampling, and sanitation verification processes.
• Assess cleaning and sanitation effectiveness, including evaluation of Clean-In-Place (CIP) operations.
• Isolate, characterize, and quantify any microbial contaminants via standard microbiological approaches.
• Investigate sources of contamination and assist with root cause analyses related to microbiological anomalies.
• Keep precise laboratory documentation, compile microbiological reports, and prepare Certificates of Analysis (COAs).
• Ensure adherence to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), biosafety protocols, and internal laboratory quality standards.
• Regularly maintain and calibrate laboratory devices such as incubators, autoclaves, and other related equipment.
• Conduct quality control testing on culture media and laboratory chemicals.
• Work collaboratively with Quality Assurance/Quality Control and Production units to examine spoilage events, contamination concerns, and out-of-specification results.
• Promptly report microbiological deviations and assist in product hold and corrective action procedures.

Candidate Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Food Microbiology, Biotechnology, Food Science, or closely related disciplines.
• At least 3 years of professional experience as a Microbiologist within food and beverage manufacturing settings.
• Practical expertise in microbiological analysis of beverages, food items, raw materials, and processing water.
• Comprehensive understanding of microbial testing techniques, pathogen detection, and environmental surveillance.
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks including GLP, GMP, HACCP, ISO 22000, and other food safety standards.
• Experience working with laboratory apparatus like incubators, autoclaves, microscopes, and microbiological instrumentation.
• Strong analytical thinking, documentation precision, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proficiency in investigating contamination incidents and contributing to corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the beverage, juice, dairy, or powdered food production sectors.
• Knowledge of Clean-In-Place (CIP) system validation and environmental hygiene monitoring protocols.
• Understanding of microbiological Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and procedures for Out-of-Specification (OOS) investigations.
• Exposure to shelf-life evaluations and food safety management systems implementation.