Senior Microbiologist - Food Safety & Quality Assurance

Placements24; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary incentives

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Generous annual leave

Professional development opportunities

Modern laboratory facilities

Relocation assistance may be provided

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Microbiologist to lead the Food Safety and Quality Assurance laboratory in Queenstown. You will oversee testing, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive improvement across product lines.

The role requires advanced microbiology expertise, leadership of a technical team, and strong QA focus to safeguard public health and product integrity.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in microbiology or related life sciences with food microbiology focus.
• 5+ years of hands-on food microbiology lab experience with QA emphasis.
• Experience with a range of microbiological techniques and data interpretation.
• Knowledge of food safety management systems (HACCP, FSMA, GFSI) and audits.

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and implement microbiological testing methods for raw materials, in-process samples, and finished food products.
• Conduct routine and investigative microbiological analyses to detect pathogens and spoilage organisms.
• Interpret results, troubleshoot deviations, and implement CAPAs.
• Maintain equipment, manage supplies and reagents inventory.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, ISO 22000 and internal quality standards.
• Train and supervise laboratory technicians in procedures and safety.
• Participate in internal/external audits and regulatory inspections.
• Stay current with advances in food microbiology and safety legislation.
• Collaborate with R&D, Production, and Quality teams for product development.
• Prepare reports on findings, trends, and quality performance metrics.

Skills

Food microbiology

Laboratory management

Quality systems

Leadership

Education

Master's degree or Ph.D. in Microbiology / Food Science

Tools

LIMS

PCR/qPCR

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading food manufacturing and processing company, is seeking a highly qualified Senior Microbiologist to oversee their Food Safety and Quality Assurance laboratory in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. This crucial role will ensure the highest standards of microbiological safety and quality across all product lines. You will be responsible for developing and implementing robust testing protocols, conducting complex analyses, and interpreting results to maintain compliance with regulatory standards and internal quality benchmarks. The ideal candidate will possess extensive expertise in food microbiology, laboratory management, and quality systems. This position offers a significant opportunity to contribute to public health and consumer safety by ensuring the integrity of food products within a respected organization. You will lead a team of skilled technicians in a well‑equipped laboratory environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and implement microbiological testing methods for raw materials, in-process samples, and finished food products.
• Conduct routine and investigative microbiological analyses to detect and identify pathogens, spoilage organisms, and indicator bacteria.
• Interpret test results, troubleshoot deviations, and recommend corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
• Maintain laboratory equipment, ensure proper functioning, and manage inventory of supplies and reagents.
• Ensure compliance with relevant food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, ISO 22000) and internal quality standards.
• Train and supervise laboratory technicians, ensuring adherence to established procedures and safety protocols.
• Participate in internal and external audits and support regulatory inspections.
• Stay current with advancements in food microbiology, analytical techniques, and food safety legislation.
• Collaborate with R&D, Production, and Quality teams to address microbiological concerns and support new product development.
• Prepare comprehensive reports on laboratory findings, trends, and quality performance metrics.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Microbiology, Food Science, or a related life science discipline with a specialization in food microbiology.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in food microbiology laboratory operations, with a strong emphasis on quality assurance.
• Proficiency in a wide range of microbiological techniques, including culturing, rapid methods, and molecular techniques (e.g., PCR, qPCR).
• Thorough understanding of foodborne pathogens, spoilage organisms, and microbial sampling strategies.
• Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) is desirable.
• Knowledge of food safety management systems (HACCP, FSMA, GFSI standards).
• Strong leadership, supervisory, and team‑building skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making abilities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Detail‑oriented with a strong commitment to accuracy and quality.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance‑based incentives.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous annual leave and paid sick days.
• Opportunities for professional development, including workshops and seminars.
• Access to modern laboratory facilities and equipment.
• A role that directly contributes to public health and food safety.
• Supportive team environment and opportunities for career progression.
• Relocation assistance may be considered for exceptional candidates.