What are the responsibilities and job description for the Food Safety Microbiologist II - Pet Integration - Golden Valley, MN position at Blue Buffalo?
Job Description:
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
OVERVIEW
General Mills Food Safety & Quality is seeking a Microbiologist to provide leadership and technical support for product R&D, corporate FSQ, and manufacturing sites during the integration of Whitebridge Pet Brands microbiological safety and quality topics.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Proactively provide microbiological subject matter expertise to guide timely business decision-making in multiple product platforms and manufacturing sites. Specifically, you will work with Whitebridge Pet Brands products and manufacturing sites to integrate them into General Mills FSRM Policies and Standards.
- Partner with the integration team to evaluate existing programs and escalate food safety and regulatory risks to key stakeholders.
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Lead or actively participate in the design, execution, and reporting of projects in collaboration with internal (technical community, plants) and/or external partners (vendors, universities, industry organizations, government). Example project topics include:
- Process lethality validations
- Sanitation method validation or evaluation
- Run length validations
- Formula validations (challenge studies)
- Troubleshooting and microbiological sampling and testing plans
- Partner with the GMI Thermal Process team to ensure all ATP’s are addressed and no gaps exist. Help coordinate 3rd party thermal process audits for wet ESC locations as needed.
- Critically assess scientific literature and active research and apply knowledge to problem-solving, project design, risk assessment, and training.
- Develop and maintain meaningful microbiology guidance documents and policies in collaboration with key stakeholders.
- Communicate project results and guidance updates to stakeholders and lead the implementation of any resulting changes as needed.
- Develop and deliver effective microbiology training in virtual and in-person formats.
- Assess microbiological risk with R&D and plant FSQ teams.
- Lead microbiology initiatives deployed to manufacturing sites or other teams.
- Resolve microbiology issues with ingredient vendors and contract manufacturers.
- Continuous improvement of team operations and guidance with emphasis on digital modeling and reporting.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelors or Masters in Microbiology, Food Science, or a related field with at least 2 years of relevant experience
- Strong microbiology laboratory knowledge including traditional and rapid methods
- Experience working in a food manufacturing plant or working closely with plants
- Ability to build and lead teams
- Strong influence skills with diverse levels and functions
- Strong written and oral communication with strong data analysis skills
- Able to manage multiple priorities and ask for resources when necessary
- Ability to travel 25%-30% of the time
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Ph.D. in Microbiology, Food Science, or a related field
- Experience with the microbiology of extruded, baked, and thermally processed products
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
- Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. General Mills will not sponsor applicants for a U.S. work visa.
- Relocation support will not be offered to applicants outside of the United States or provide international relocation.
We exist to make food the world loves. But we do more than that. Our company is a place that prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives and reimagine new possibilities, every day. We look for people who want to bring their best — bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one other and grow together. Because becoming the undisputed leader in food means surrounding ourselves with people who are hungry for what’s next.
