Food Microbiologist

Do you enjoy Little Debbie® snacks like Oatmeal Creme Pies, Swiss Rolls or Mini Muffins? Maybe you've started your day with Drake's Cake® Coffee Cakes, or enjoyed a granola bar from Sunbelt Bakery®. If so, you've experienced the magic of McKee Foods. We’re proud to be America's favorite family bakery and the leading manufacturer of snack cakes nationwide, with annual sales exceeding $1.5 billion. Join our team and help us bring smiles to snack-lovers all over the country!

Pay Grade

Salaried Grade 3, 5 or 7
$53,300 - $80,700 / year, depending on experience and qualifications. Actual salaries may vary and in some cases may be higher with extensive experience and strong performance. This position may be non-exempt depending on pay level.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (or as required by business needs)

Location

Collegedale, Tennessee

Job Summary

McKee Foods Corporation is seeking a Food Microbiologist to join our Microbiology Lab. As a part of the Microbiology team you will gain exposure to many facets of microbiological testing. This is a great chance to put your technical skills and knowledge to work to provide support and leadership in specific tasks such as preparing microbiological media, completing quality tests, preparing samples and more. You will be a resource to a team that helps bring together technical knowledge, food safety and quality aspects of food manufacturing. Responsibilities will include:

• Providing expertise and functional support for microbiology lab to include media preparation, plating samples, operating automated detection equipment, and data entry of results
• Providing leadership in solving problems and recommending company direction as it relates to microbiological issues
• Developing technical methods and operating procedures for the microbiology lab

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology or related field
• School lab or internship experience
• Ability to work in a team environment to accomplish continuous improvement
• Must be able to understand and communicate effectively with appropriate use of technical terminology
• Must be able to handle high degree of confidentiality
• Ability to handle detailed paperwork and maintain records
• Excellent organizational, prioritization and time management skills
• Strong interpersonal skills; must gain respect of peers and management
• High level of initiative and ability to work with minimal supervision
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact with all levels of the organization
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, etc.)
• Willingness to receive additional training
• Flexibility to travel as needed. (5% of total time or less)

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in Food Microbiology or related field
• One or more years of related work experience
• Knowledge of, or experience with ISO principles for laboratories
• Technical knowledge of low moisture food manufacturing processes and related microbiological risks

Benefits

• Competitive pay scale
• 401(k) with matching contributions
• Health insurance, including prescription drug plan
• Dental insurance
• Vision care plan
• Life insurance
• Paid time off (for vacation, holidays, sick time, personal time, etc.)
• Direct deposit payroll
• Credit Union
• Shift differential pay
• Exercise and recreation facility
• Profit-sharing program
• Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance (Premiums Paid by the Company)

Please upload your current resume to be fully considered for this position.