Assistant Microbiologist

Assistant Microbiologist

Come join the Tillamook Team where our philosophy is “Do Right By Every Bite.”As an independent farmer-owned cooperative, we have been guided by good, honest values since 1909. We believe in putting quality over profit, natural over artificial, and that hard work can never be outsmarted. We’re taking a stand for real food, because everyone deserves better.

We invite members of all diverse communities to join our workforce. At Tillamook, we believe that inclusion and diversity are central to our cultural strategy. In order to achieve our growth ambition and compete and win in the marketplace, we believe we make better decisions and build stronger teams when we invite and rely on diverse perspectives, thoughts, backgrounds and cultures into our work and to fuel our innovation and growth. To us this means creating a climate of inclusion where all employees feel valued and a sense of belonging. We believe this will make us a better consumer brand and employer.

About you:

What does real food mean to you? Is your favorite dish a cheesy casserole? Perhaps a decadent and indulgent ice cream? Either way, your identification with food is important to us. People who fit well here at Tillamook have a commitment to quality in everything they do. Our team members understand our vision, contribute to our mission, thrive on innovative thinking, hard work and good, honest values.

About us:

Our team members understand our vision, contribute to our mission, thrive on innovative thinking, hard work and good, honest values. We live by these shared values: We are Good Stewards, We believe in Uncompromising Quality, We work as One Team, We Play to Win, and We Genuinely Care for each other.

What you will do:

The Assistant Microbiologist provides microbial technical support to the production facilities and other internal laboratories in addition to both the dairymen and field department, accomplishes testing in compliance with laboratory certifications, ensures timeliness of results, supplies inventory as related to internal laboratory needs and farm service, and works directly with dairymen, production facilities, and other laboratories on microbiological issues.

Here’s a day in the life:

• Conducts technical microbiological analysis of ingredient, in-process, and finished product including milk, cheese, whey powder, and lactose powders.

• Production facilities focused microbiologist – works with our production facilities, other laboratories and directly with farmers to troubleshoot microbial issues.

• Performs: Isolation and identification of bacteria from individual cow and bulk tank samples using agar plates, DNA extractions from milk samples, PCR, and analysis or sampling as needed.

• Identifies sources of bacterial contamination providing support for production facilities. Works with outside labs for positive identification on certain bacterial types.

• Prepares billing information and number of tests completed.

• Completes data entry – facilities sampling data generation and reporting to internal management and sends formal reports to patrons via email or mail.

• Maintains inventory and orders supplies for testing.

• Define and develop processes to sustain required turnaround time for sample testing as necessary

• Identify bacteria on agar plates and must be able to use aseptic technique.

• Provide instruction to new hires or temporary employees on daily duties.

• Assist in oversight/review of all results uploaded into software systems for reporting, including by not limited to specialized microbial testing, culture, PCR, and miscellaneous milk testing.

• Communicate effectively and to establish and maintain effective relationships with employees, supervisors and the general public.

• Utilize a computer with intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and SharePoint. Intermediate to Advanced Excel skills are preferred. Knowledge of LIMS and MadCap is preferred.

• Work under pressure, meet deadlines, and be flexible in working on multiple projects simultaneously.

• Demonstrate excellent time-management skills with the ability to work independently with little supervision.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, molecular biology, or related field

• 2 to 5 years working in biological, molecular, or dairy testing labs.

• Must be able to work at least one weekend day and some holidays.

Physical Requirements:

• Sitting

• Standing and/or walking

• Lifting 55 lbs.

• Vision for machine or computer operations

• Hearing

Industry leading benefit and reward programs:

We offer outstanding benefits to our employees. For more information, please visit the careers page: www.tillamook.com/careers.

We are committed to creating a diverse culture and inclusive conditions where all employees are heard, valued and feel a sense of belonging. We rely on different perspectives, thoughts, backgrounds and cultures to inform our work, to help us be better as a brand and as an employer and to fuel our success. We are seeking talent from a wide range of diversity, perspectives and backgrounds to join our exceptional organization and help us build our future.

Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) is a Drug-Free Workplace.EEO/AA