Principal Microbiologist

Ocean Spray is hiring for a(n) Principal Microbiologist in Lakeville! We're a team of farmers, thinkers, creators, and doers. Whatever your title, whatever your role - it always comes back to this: we're a farmer-owned co-op where everyone rolls up their sleeves to get the job done. Three maverick farmers started it all - and we've been making our own way ever since.
Ocean Spray Cranberries is looking for a Principal Microbiologist to join our R&D team! You will lead the development and implementation of microbiological control strategies, standards, and processes across the Cooperative. Your responsibilities will include conducting scientific investigations and driving continuous improvement in microbiology. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to validate process controls, establish preventive actions, and ensure food safety. Additionally, you will provide expertise and guidance on microbiological issues to support R&D and manufacturing.
A Day in the Life...

• Work across Corporate, plant Quality teams, contract manufacture partners, product development, packaging engineering, process engineering, procurement, and other cross-functional teams to support commissioning protocols including sampling plans, risk assessments and compliance to OSC Quality Operating Standards as well as Global (Codex Alimentarious), Federal (FSMA and HACCP), State and local regulations.
• Review and analyze microbiological documentation from internal cross-functional teams, external partners, suppliers, or other relevant organizations. This assessment includes but is not limited to HACCP or Food Safety plans, 3rd party audits, surveys, sanitation, plant pre-requisite programs, environmental monitoring and other related food safety and quality programs.
• Identify and implement the development, monitoring, and testing of new microbiological methods.
• Collaborate and supports projects with universities, external labs, or other outside collaborators.
• Plan, execute or oversee microbiological validation studies and challenges studies. Lead the execution of microbiology studies such as rapid method development, preservation systems, or antimicrobials.
• Lead microbiological proficiency testing for internal manufacturing network.
• Support FSQA issue resolutions, customer complaints and customer requests. Use problem solving techniques to work with plants, suppliers, engineers, R&D, legal, procurement and other cross-functional teams. Lead investigation of microbiological incidents to properly document investigation, root cause, corrective actions, and preventive actions.
• Plan, execute and oversee laboratory research utilizing microbiology standard procedures, good laboratory practices and aseptic techniques to complete assigned tasks. Review microbiology results for compliance.
• Provide microbiological guidance and technical assistance/support to other departments as well as to manufacturing plants. If applicable, conduct visits and/or audits as identified by the annual risk-based audit program or identify areas of microbial risk and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Support the management of Corporate Microbiology laboratory.
• Active participation in industry forums that include suppliers, processors, customers, and universities.
• Oversees HACCP/Food Safety Plans of OSC Pilot Plant.

What We Are Looking For:

• Ph.D. in microbiology, food microbiology or related area.
• Minimum 5 years previous work experience in food microbiology and is familiar with food manufacturing.
• Excellent collaborative and problem-solving skills. A strong, broad technical background with expertise in the areas of microbiology and Food Safety and Quality Systems.
• Well-versed in Codex, FSMA, FDA, GFSI, state and local, and international regulations.
• Knowledge of HACCP and related food safety systems as applied at the food manufacturing plant level. Juice HACCP and PCQI certification preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required with specific skills in the area of policy and procedure development and documentation.
• Technical writing experience with standard operating procedures and reports
• Travel will be up to 25% as needed.

Education:
Bachelor's or University Degree (Required)
Work Experience:
Years of Experience: Minimum of 5 Years
Benefits:

• Complete insurance package on Day-1 that includes a plethora of health and wellness programs
  • Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Flexible spending account
  • Life and accident insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Telehealth services
  • Fertility benefits
  • Transgender benefits
  • 1:1 health coaching and more
• 401(k) with up to 6% Company matching; additional potential discretionary match at year-end
• Short-Term Incentive/Performance bonuses
• Flexible scheduling options
• Vacation pay, up to three weeks of time (pro-rated for your first year of employment)
• Holiday pay for 12 holidays
• Career development and growth opportunities
• Tuition/Education assistance programs
• Access to LinkedIn Learning
• Scholarship programs for children of employees
• Parental leave
• Bright Horizons Family Solutions - Back-up care, tutoring, etc.
• Adoption assistance
• Bereavement leave
• Up to $300 fitness reimbursement
• Up to $300 massage reimbursement
• Employee appreciation events
• Employee discounts
• Charitable giving

Who We Are:
You might have our iconic cranberry juice in your fridge or have gotten into heated holiday debate about what's better - canned or fresh cranberry sauce. But did you know that the hardworking people growing the superfruit in our products are 700 family farmers that own our cooperative? They entrust us with what is most precious to them to create new and innovative products that will delight consumers and grow this beloved brand today and into the future.
Team members, farmers, consumers and communities alike--we value what makes us unique and strive to connect our farms to families for a better life by living our values:

• Grower Mindset - We embrace our grower-owners innovative spirit and heritage through confidence, learning and focus on the future.
• Sustainable Results - Guided by purpose, we are focused on delivering results for our grower-owners.
• Integrity Above All - We are ethical, doing the right thing for our grower-owners, customers, consumers and each other
• Inclusive Teamwork - We build diverse and inclusive teams that strengthen our cooperative.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.