Senior Food Microbiologist & Process Authority – Acidified

Solina; Bolingbrook (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Solina USA is seeking a Corporate Microbiologist to lead microbiological safety, quality, and regulatory compliance for dressings, sauces, and spice blends. As Process Authority for acidified foods, you will oversee thermal and acidification processes in line with FDA requirements.

You will partner with R&D, Technical Services, Regulatory Affairs, Operations, and Quality to guide food safety decisions from concept to commercialization, leveraging deep microbiology expertise and strong

Qualifications

• PhD in Food Microbiology, Food Science, Microbiology, or related discipline (Master’s with extensive industry experience may be considered).
• Certified Process Authority preferred; willingness and ability to become certified if not already.
• Minimum 5–8 years of experience in food manufacturing, food microbiology, process validation, or related roles.
• Strong working knowledge of FDA regulations governing acidified foods (21 CFR 114), food safety plans, and microbiological risk management.
• Demonstrated experience conducting validation studies, challenge studies, and shelf-life assessments.
• Ability to translate microbiological concepts into practical manufacturing and product development recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership to assure microbiologically safe manufacturing processes and environments.
• Evaluate and guide design of food processing equipment to high RTE standards.
• Conduct data-based risk assessments from technical, regulatory, and industry inputs.
• Communicate science-based recommendations to cross-functional teams.
• Serve as Process Authority for acidified foods and ensure FDA compliance.
• Review, validate, and approve acidified product formulations, pH targets, and thermal/hold processes.
• Create and maintain FDA process filings and scheduled processes.
• Conduct or oversee validation studies, challenge studies, and hazard assessments.

Skills

FDA regulations

Food microbiology

Validation studies

Hazard assessment

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

PhD in Food Microbiology

Certified Process Authority (preferred)

Job description

Solina USA is seeking a Corporate Microbiologist to lead microbiological safety, quality, and regulatory compliance for dressings, sauces, and spice blends. As Process Authority for acidified foods, you will oversee thermal and acidification processes in line with FDA requirements.

You will partner with R&D, Technical Services, Regulatory Affairs, Operations, and Quality to guide food safety decisions from concept to commercialization, leveraging deep microbiology expertise and strong