Microbiologist - Assistant Manager

Saaki Argus And Averil Consulting; Chennai District; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Saaki Argus And Averil Consulting in Chennai seeks an experienced Microbiologist to lead its R&D microbiology laboratory, ensuring product safety and supporting new product development and shelf-life initiatives. The role demands hands-on leadership over lab operations, calibration, media, reference cultures, and inventory.

You will design and validate microbiological methods for new food formats, perform challenge tests, support pilot scale-ups, and drive CAPA and RCA investigations while

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years in Food Microbiology (R&D/FMCG/ingredients).
• Strong expertise in spoilage pathogens, shelf-life, and environmental monitoring.
• Hands-on RCA/CAPA for microbial deviations and OOS results.

Responsibilities

• Lead the R&D microbiology lab, manage calibration, media, reference cultures, and inventory.
• Develop, validate microbiological methods for new food formats; execute testing.
• Conduct failure investigations, RCA, and CAPA for microbial events; ensure safety compliance.
• Ensure compliance with FSSAI, BIS, ISO, GLP and biohazard safety protocols.

Skills

Lab leadership

Method validation

RCA & CAPA

Food microbiology

Shelf-life testing

Education

M.Sc. in Microbiology

Tools

LIMS

Lab automation

Job description

Hiring: Assistant Manager R&D Microbiologist (Food & FMCG)We are a leading Food & Consumer Goods Business looking for an experienced Microbiologist - Assistant Manager (R&D) to lead our R&D microbiology laboratory, ensure product safety, and support exciting new product development and shelf-life initiatives.Location: Chennai - Work from officeExperience: Minimum 5+ years in Food Microbiology (preferably R&D / FMCG / Food Ingredients / Nutraceuticals)Qualification: M.Sc. in Microbiology, Food Microbiology, or Industrial MicrobiologyKey Responsibilities:Lab Leadership: Independently manage R&D lab operations, equipment calibration, media, reference cultures, and inventory.Method Validation & Challenge Studies: Develop, optimize, and validate microbiological methods for new food formats; execute preservative efficacy and challenge testing.Testing & Scale-Up Support: Conduct testing on raw materials, process intermediates, finished products, packaging, and water to support pilot scale-ups and factory trials.Failure Analysis & RCA: Investigate microbial deviations, contamination events, and out-of-spec (OOS) results; implement effective RCA & CAPA.Regulatory & Quality Compliance: Ensure complete compliance with FSSAI, BIS, ISO standards, GLP, and biohazard safety protocols.Key Technical Requirements:Strong expertise in food spoilage/pathogens, method validation, shelf-life assessment, and environmental monitoring.Hands-on experience in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) & CAPA for microbial failures.Exposure to rapid microbiological methods, LIMS, or lab automation is an added advantage.