Microbiologist

VARUN BEVERAGES LIMITED; Gurugram District; On-site; INR 500,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

VARUN BEVERAGES LIMITED in India seeks a Microbiologist (M01) for its Quality Control team at the Cuttack site. Focus on compliance in microbiology programs, line monitoring for contamination, and 100% test accuracy per PepsiCo and BIS guidelines.

Ideal candidate holds an MSc in Microbiology with 3–5 years’ food-industry experience, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to coordinate across teams while maintaining lab hygiene and safety.

Qualifications

• MSc in Microbiology (or related discipline).
• 3–5 years of microbiology experience in the food industry.
• Experience in team‑oriented, inter‑dependent environment.
• Familiarity with PepsiCo, BIS, AIB, and QAS microbiological standards.
• Experience with calibration and maintenance of microbiology lab equipment.

Responsibilities

• Perform microbiological analyses according to PepsiCo and BIS guidelines.
• Monitor production lines and processing areas for microbial contamination.
• Execute NCB microbial testing and equipment calibration.
• Assess cleaning and sanitation effectiveness and maintain lab equipment standards.
• Ensure 100% compliance with microbiological test protocols and audit requirements.
• Maintain sanitary and hygienic conditions in processing areas to achieve target microbial results.
• Support AIB (Food Safety) and QAS audit preparations, aiming for zero major findings.
• Document and report microbiology data, trends, and corrective actions.
• Collaborate with plant personnel to promote personal hygiene and safety.

Skills

Team working

Under pressure

Communication skills

Analytical ability

Coordination

Interpersonal skills

Education

MSc in Microbiology

Job description

Job Description:

Purpose of the Job

• A Microbiologists day-to-day duties and responsibilities are determined by where they work, there are many core tasks associated with the role.
• Maintaining Compliance Levels in Microbiology Programs.
• Increasing Microbial Testing Productivity, Flexibility, and Cost Effectiveness.

Details of the Job

• Job Role/ Title: Micro- Biologist
• Level: M01
• Business Unit: Nuh
• Function: Quality Control
• Country: India
• Work Location: Cuttack
• Reporting Manager: Quality Head
• Manager’s Manager: Plant Manager

Key Accountabilities

• Micro Score 100 %. Do the Micro Analysis as per PepsiCo /BIS Guideline
• Micro Proficiency Score-100 % Monitor the Line & Processing Area for Micro Contamination
• No any gap regarding Micro in BIS audit. Do the Micro Analysis as per PepsiCo /BIS Guideline
• 100 % Micro Test Compliance. Do the NCB Micro & Calibration.
• No Violence in Plant Personal Hygiene. Monitor the Cleaning & Sanitation effectiveness, Maintain the Lab Equipment as per Standards
• No any Unsatisfactory & Minimum Mandate Failure in AIB Audit. Maintain the Sanitary & Hygienic condition of the Processing area to achieve the Micro Results.
• QAS audit Score 98 Maintain the Process as per AIB(Food Safety) & QAS requirements
• No any Major findings to be raised during FSMS & Other Audits. Maintain the Sanitary & Hygienic condition of the Processing area to achieve the Micro Results.

Key Interfaces

• External Interfaces: Employees/workers/operator

Education & Experience

• Education Qualification (Highest) with Target Institute(s): Msc
• Desired Certifications: MSC in Microbiology
• Experience Range: 03-05 years
• Desirable experience: Micro experience in food industry.

Skills Required

• Functional Skills:
  • Proven ability to work in team-working style in complex, inter-dependent organization.
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet the desired deadlines
• Behavioural Skills:
  • Imagination & Creativity
  • High Analytical Ability
  • Strong Communication skills
  • Co-ordination Skills
  • Interpersonal skills
• General Awareness: Knows the fundamental or general understanding of concepts.
• Working Knowledge: Has broad job knowledge; knows and applies the full range of concepts and practices. Has broad / working knowledge of the subject. Candidate should use these concepts in day to day practices.
• Functional Expert: Candidate is certified functional expert with strong knowledge on concepts.
• Mastery: Candidate is subject matter expert and has command over the subject/ concept

Responsibilities

• Perform microbiological analyses according to PepsiCo and BIS guidelines.
• Monitor production lines and processing areas for microbial contamination.
• Execute NCB microbial testing and equipment calibration.
• Assess cleaning and sanitation effectiveness and maintain lab equipment standards.
• Ensure 100% compliance with microbiological test protocols and audit requirements.
• Maintain sanitary and hygienic conditions in processing areas to achieve target microbial results.
• Support AIB (Food Safety) and QAS audit preparations, aiming for zero major findings.
• Document and report microbiology data, trends, and corrective actions.
• Collaborate with plant personnel to promote personal hygiene and safety.

Qualifications

• M.Sc. in Microbiology (or related discipline).
• 3–5 years of microbiology experience in the food industry.
• Proven ability to work in a team‑oriented, inter‑dependent environment.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and coordination abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Familiarity with PepsiCo, BIS, AIB, and QAS microbiological standards.
• Experience with calibration and maintenance of microbiology lab equipment.
• High level of personal integrity and commitment to plant hygiene.
• Expert level functional and behavioural skills as outlined in the job brief.