Senior Microbiologist

Conagra Brands, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 82,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Bonus opportunities

401(k) matching

Stock purchase plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Parental leave

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

Conagra Brands is seeking a microbiology-focused professional to support food safety programs across our manufacturing network. This role involves hands-on technical guidance, traveling to facilities, and collaborating with Quality, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, and R&D teams.

You will help identify root causes and implement corrective actions while working from corporate offices when not traveling. The position emphasizes risk assessment, environmental monitoring, sanitation, PC testing, and

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret microbiology data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with cross-functional teams.
• Experience working independently in a manufacturing environment and providing technical guidance.

Responsibilities

• Travel to Conagra manufacturing facilities to investigate and troubleshoot microbiological and food safety concerns in partnership with plant Quality teams.
• Provide technical expertise related to pathogen control, environmental monitoring, sanitation, sampling/testing, and food safety investigations.
• Review monitoring data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Conduct risk assessments and recommend risk mitigation and corrective actions.
• Support environmental monitoring programs, GMPs, sanitation SOPs, HACCP programs, and other preventive food safety systems.
• Respond to food safety issues with guidance, investigations, and recommendations.
• Promote adoption of microbiology and food safety best practices across the organization.
• Collaborate with Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Engineering, Procurement, and other stakeholders to support food safety standards and programs.
• Develop technical reports and communicate findings and recommendations to Quality teams and leadership.
• Serve as a microbiology resource for facilities to help resolve complex issues.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Independent worker

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, or related field

Job description

Reporting to the Manager, Microbiology, you will support Conagra's food safety and microbiology programs across our manufacturing network. You will work closely with plant Quality teams and travel to manufacturing facilities to troubleshoot microbiological and food safety issues, assess risk, identify potential root causes, and provide practical technical recommendations. You will serve as a hands-on technical resource while collaborating with internal partners across Quality, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, Research & Development, Plant Manufacturing teams, and other functions to support food safety programs and standards. This is not a lab role - you will be traveling to manufacturing sites across the Conagra network and working from either of our corporate offices when not traveling.

Travel to Conagra manufacturing facilities to investigate and troubleshoot microbiological and food safety concerns, partnering primarily with plant Quality teams to identify root causes and provide technical recommendations. Provide technical expertise related to pathogen control, environmental monitoring, sanitation, microbiological sampling and testing, and food safety investigations. Review microbiological and environmental monitoring data to identify trends, potential risks, and opportunities for improvement. Conduct food safety and microbiological risk assessments and recommend appropriate risk mitigation strategies and corrective actions. Support plant Quality teams in strengthening environmental monitoring programs, sanitation controls, good manufacturing practices, sanitation standard operating procedures, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point programs, and other preventive food safety systems. Respond to food safety-related issues and special situations by providing technical guidance, investigation support, and recommendations. Support the adoption of microbiology and food safety best practices across the organization, including new testing methods, technologies, and approaches. Collaborate with Quality, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, Engineering, Procurement, Co-Manufacturing Quality, and other internal stakeholders to support food safety standards and programs. Develop clear technical reports and communicate findings, risks, and recommendations to Quality teams and leadership. Serve as a technical microbiology resource for manufacturing facilities and provide guidance to help resolve complex or recurring issues.

A Taste of Your Responsibilities

• Travel to Conagra manufacturing facilities to investigate and troubleshoot microbiological and food safety concerns, partnering primarily with plant Quality teams to identify root causes and provide technical recommendations.
• Provide technical expertise related to pathogen control, environmental monitoring, sanitation, microbiological sampling and testing, and food safety investigations.
• Review microbiological and environmental monitoring data to identify trends, potential risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Conduct food safety and microbiological risk assessments and recommend appropriate risk mitigation strategies and corrective actions.
• Support plant Quality teams in strengthening environmental monitoring programs, sanitation controls, good manufacturing practices, sanitation standard operating procedures, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point programs, and other preventive food safety systems.
• Respond to food safety-related issues and special situations by providing technical guidance, investigation support, and recommendations.
• Support the adoption of microbiology and food safety best practices across the organization, including new testing methods, technologies, and approaches.
• Collaborate with Quality, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, Engineering, Procurement, Co-Manufacturing Quality, and other internal stakeholders to support food safety standards and programs.
• Develop clear technical reports and communicate findings, risks, and recommendations to a Quality teams and leadership.
• Serve as a technical microbiology resource for manufacturing facilities and provide guidance to help resolve complex or recurring issues.

Ingredients Required for Your Success

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, or a related scientific field.
• Microbiology, food safety, or related scientific experience; experience within food manufacturing or another related manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience troubleshooting microbiological issues, conducting investigations, performing root cause analysis, and providing technical recommendations preferred.
• Knowledge of pathogen control, environmental monitoring, sanitation, and microbiological sampling and testing.
• Working knowledge of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point programs, good manufacturing practices, sanitation standard operating procedures, and related food safety systems.
• Knowledge of applicable Food and Drug Administration and/or United States Department of Agriculture food safety regulations preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience interpreting microbiological data and identifying trends.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with experience explaining technical findings and recommendations clearly to Quality teams and other stakeholders.
• Excellent technical report-writing skills.
• Experience working independently and providing technical guidance in a manufacturing environment.
• Willingness to travel up to 75% of the time to manufacturing facilities for onsite troubleshooting, assessments, investigations, and technical support.

Physical Requirements

More information about essential tasks and the facility will be shared during the hiring process. This role may require you to be in our manufacturing facilities. When visiting these sites, the physical requirements below may apply: You may be required to walk around the facility, climb stairs/ladders, kneel, or perform repetitive tasks that require hand-eye coordination. You may be required to lift or carry materials that can vary in weight and size. This is a manufacturing environment with large, moving equipment. Noise levels can be high, and temperatures may vary.

Days in office: when you are not traveling, you will be onsite in either the Omaha or Chicago corporate office. Fridays are remote.

#LI-Onsite #LI-MH1 #LI-MSL

Compensation Pay Range: $82,000-$120,000

The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.

Our Benefits

• Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement
• Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan
• Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement
• Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities

Our Company

At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We’re in the business of building champions - within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye, Slim Jim and Reddi-Wip. Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.

At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We’re in the business of building champions - within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye, Slim Jim and Reddi-Wip. Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.