Corporate Microbiologist

Meijer Inc.; Tipp City, Northern (OH, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meijer Rewards

Weekly pay

Scheduling flexibility

Paid parental leave

Paid education assistance

Team member discount

Development programs for advancement

Job summary

Meijer Inc. is seeking a senior leader in microbiology to guide food safety, quality compliance, and regulatory adherence across its manufacturing network. You will standardize programs, lead investigations, and drive risk-based decisions with cross-functional teams.

The role requires directing environmental monitoring, overseeing SME activities, and implementing advanced testing methods. Travel up to 40% is expected; FSMA and pathogen control experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.S. in Microbiology, Food Safety, or related fields.
• 8+ years of relevant microbiology experience in Food/Beverage manufacturing.
• Experience in multi-site organizations preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of FSMA, HACCP, EMPs, and pathogen control.
• Expertise in foodborne pathogens (Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli).
• Proficiency in microbiological testing methods (culture-based, OCR, rapid methods).
• Strong data interpretation and statistical trend analysis capabilities.
• Travel 25-40%.

Responsibilities

• Lead microbiology programs across Meijer Manufacturing facilities.
• Develop and standardize microbiological standards, policies and procedures.
• Establish EMPs aligned with regulatory expectations and best practices.
• Oversee root cause investigations and corrective actions for pathogen findings.
• Lead microbial risk assessments for ingredients, processes, and products.
• Standardize methods and validation protocols across facilities.
• Serve as SME for microbiological compliance under FDA/USDA regulations.
• Support FSMA preventive controls validation and verification activities.
• Train manufacturing teams on microbiological practices and risk mitigation.
• Identify emerging microbiological risks and implement new testing technologies.

Skills

microbiology expertise

FSMA knowledge

HACCP knowledge

data interpretation

statistical trend analysis

cross-functional collaboration

communication skills

risk assessment

ready-to-eat foods knowledge

lab quality oversight

Education

Ph.D or M.S. in Microbiology or Food Safety

Job description

As a family company, we serve people and communities. When you work at Meijer, you’re provided with career and community opportunities centered around leadership, personal growth and development. Consider joining our family – take care of your career and your community!

Benefits include:

• Meijer Rewards
• Weekly pay
• Scheduling flexibility
• Paid parental leave
• Paid education assistance
• Team member discount
• Development programs for advancement and career growth

Reporting to Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance, this position provides scientific leadership in microbiology as relates to food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. This position will support all Meijer Manufacturing facilities. This role is responsible for developing, standardizing, and validating microbiological programs to ensure product safety and quality, regulatory compliance, and brand protection. This position partners cross functionally with Operations, Product Development, Regulatory Compliance, Supply Chain, Food Safety, and external laboratories to implement best in class sampling and testing procedures.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Partner with site Quality Managers and Operations Leaders to ensure each site food safety program is current, effective, and managed at the site level.
• Develop and maintain corporate microbiological standards, policies, and procedures.
• Establish enterprise-wide environmental monitoring programs (EMP) aligned with regulatory expectations and industry best practices.
• Lead root cause investigations and troubleshooting for presumptive positive pathogen findings and recommend corrective actions.
• Oversee trend analysis of microbiological data and drive risk based decision making.
• Lead microbial risk assessments for ingredients, processes, and finished products.
• Standardize test methods, specifications, and validation protocols across all facilities.
• Serve as subject matter expert (SME) for microbiological compliance under applicable regulations (FDA, USDA, as applicable).
• Support FSMA preventive controls validation and verification activities.
• Assist with regulatory responses related to spoilage or microbial activity.
• Provide technical oversight to internal and third party laboratories.
• Evaluate and approve laboratory methods, validation studies, and rapid testing techniques.
• Review and interpret routine microbial sampling from manufacturing sites.
• Lead microbiological investigations where applicable during food safety incidents or recalls.
• Provide scientific guidance during product disposition decisions when necessary.
• Identify emerging microbiological risks and industry trends.
• Implement new technologies and methods to enhance detection and prevention.
• Train manufacturing team members on microbiological related best practices and risk mitigation (sampling and testing).
• Partner with site Quality Managers in troubleshooting microbial issues.

What You Bring with You (Qualifications):

• Ph.D or M.S. degree in Microbiology, Food Safety, or related fields
• Experience - functional/industry/commercial knowledge:
• 8+ years of relevant microbiology experience in the Food/Beverage manufacturing facilities
• Experience in multi-site organizations preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of FSMA, HACCP, environmental monitoring programs, and pathogen control.
• Expertise in foodborne pathogens (e.g. Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E.coli).
• Proficiency in microbiological testing methods (culture- based, OCR, rapids methods).
• Strong data interpretation and statistical trend analysis capabilities.
• Risk assessment and validation expertise
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with cross-functional stakeholders
• Preferred experience in ready to eat foods (RTE) and high risk categories.
• PCQI and HACCP Certification preferred.
• Travel 25-40%

We opened our doors more than 90 years ago with the goal of helping people provide for themselves and their family. Today we’re a multi-billion dollar retailer with more than 70,000 employees across six states. Our Midwest geography includes corporate offices in Grand Rapids, Michigan, plus manufacturing facilities, distribution centers and over 270 stores across Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Meijer is an Equal Opportunity Employer, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are committed to treating all persons with dignity and respect. Meijer's policy is to not discriminate because of any applicant or team member's race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, age, physical or mental disability, uniformed service or veteran status, or any other lawfully-protected classification.

Submissions that are not seeking help to complete the application due to a disability will not be responded to.