Description

Location: 531 West Poplar Avenue| Tipton | CA | 93272

Hourly Rate: $33.08 (Overtime and weekends may be required)

We are hiring for a 1st Shift Saturday to Wednesday

Shift: 1st Shift 6am - 2:30pm

Job Summary

This position will be primarily responsible for microbiology work for all Citrus juices for Ventura Coastal.  It involves basic microbiology as well as instituting new methodology as the business dictates.

Test results must be presented accurately and timely.  Microbiologists will be expected to apply root cause analysis techniques and identify trends to resolve contamination problems and offer solutions to those problems. 

This position is critical in ensuring that that the customer receives a product that meets all FDA guidelines, customer specifications and is representative of Ventura Coastal quality.

The microbiologist reports to the Principal Microbiologist and must be able to work any shift. This position is responsible for supporting both the Visalia and the Tipton plants.

Primary Responsibilities

• Food Safety is the responsibility of all Ventura Coastal manufacturing employees. All Ventura Coastal manufacturing employees must be aware of CCPs in their area and how to document them appropriately.  All staff must report food safety and quality problems to their immediate supervisor in charge during their shift.
• This position involves 50% bench work and 50% of work outside of the laboratory, around the production plant.
• Collect samples from bulk tanks following a strict protocol.
• Collect samples in cold environments (42F) as well as in hot environments (100F).
• Prepare media, dilution blanks, and reagents as required.  Perform aseptic plating on all manufactured products, inbound ingredients and in process samples as necessary.  Analysis includes Standard Plate Count, yeast, mold, coliform, E. coli, Lactic Acid Bacteria and Alicyclobacillus.
• Read and interpret plates.  Record data in the computer system in a timely fashion.
• Perform root cause analysis to determine sources of possible product contamination.
• Prepare recommendations and solutions for instances where product contamination is discovered.
• Perform environmental swabbing as necessary.
• Train the QA laboratory technicians and operators in aseptic sampling.
• Provide oral and written reports to management as needed.
• Follow all safety rules and regulations to include the wearing of all personal protective equipment.
• Follow all established personal hygiene practices.
• Demonstrate reliable attendance, consistent punctuality, and a conscientious attitude always.
• Always act professionally.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Microbiology or related science preferred. 
• Two to four (2-4) years of QA laboratory experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products:  Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Microbiology testing skills required.
• Basic skills in trigonometry, algebra and are required. Statistics experience is preferred.
• Environmental swabbing experience preferred.
• The ability to communicate one’s thoughts, plans and proposals in both oral and written communications is a must.

Physical Requirements

• The ability to meet flexible and changing priorities and the ability to work under pressure is a must. 50% of the microbiologist’s time will be spent in a laboratory environment standing and sitting while performing various tests. 50% of the microbiologist’s time will be spent in a plant environment seeking data or tracking down information. Some of this time will be spent climbing stairs or ladders.

Qualifications

Salary : $33