Corporate Microbiologist

You may know McCormick as a leader in herbs spices seasonings and condiments and were only getting started. At McCormick were always looking for new people to bring their unique flavor to our team.

McCormick employees all 14000 of us across the world are what makes this company a great place to work.

We are looking to hire a Microbiologist Innovation and Quality by Design immediately in a Hybrid (50/50) capacity at our Global Headquarters in Hunt Valley Maryland.

What We Bring To The Table:

The best people deserve the best addition to the benefits youd expect from a global leader (401k health insurance paid time off etc.) we also offer:

Competitive compensation

Career growth opportunities

Flexibility and Support for Diverse Life Stages and Choices

Wellbeing programs including Physical Mental and Financial wellness

Tuition assistance

Position Overview
As part of the Food Safety and Scientific Affairs CoE and under the general direction of the Senior Director Global Product Integrity the Corporate Microbiologist is responsible for global microbiology governance and for ensuring the microbiological integrity of McCormick products across the value chain.
The role partners with R&D the FSSA CoE and regional businesses to establish and maintain microbiological food safety standards including proactive risk assessments and incident response. Areas of focus include pathogens spoilage organisms and other microbiology-related biological hazards relevant to herbs spices flavors and food products.
Working within the McCormick Global Quality Management System (QMS) the role leads the development management and continuous improvement of procedures and programs that drive microbiological safety - providing technical support guidance and training as required.
The incumbent will possess strong subject-matter expertise and scientific credibility as well as superior communication and collaboration skills to engage effectively with customers regulators and industry stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Leads global governance of corporate microbiological program providing strategy linkage and program oversight to regional businesses partner functions and CoEs. Activities include but not limited to: Horizon scanning of emerging microbiological risks; risk assessment of pathogens spoilage organisms and other relevant hazards; development and validation of testing methods and applications; incident response and root cause analysis and; oversight of hygienic design (in collaboration with Sr. Mgr. Hygienic Design). Drives continuous improvement and alignment with regulatory and industry best practices. Provides central R&D support to drive strategic initiatives and imperatives. Ensures microbiological food safety considerations are embedded in innovation and design for safety including predictive microbiology challenge testing and raw material risk evaluation. Supports customer projects supply chain resiliency and sustainability initiatives where microbiological integrity is a key factor.

Provides training and development to relevant stakeholders. Ensures effective communication and knowledge transfer ensuring safe food and quality by design principles are understood as well as accurately and consistently implemented. Acts as technical SME with customers as needed to assure the Taste You Trust pledge and represents the company in trade associations and scientific forums to influence microbiological standards.

Owns and continuously improves systems and processes including key documents held within the Quality Management System. Provides benchmarking and establishes performance metrics to drive improvement in the microbiological-focused systems and processes.

Secondary Responsibilities
Ability to travel no more than 10% as needed to support regions and assure safe food by design
Creates and participates in learning and influence opportunities for the organization in the areas that relate to the intentional design of measurable and successful food safety outcomes for McCormick.

Required Qualifications

Level of Education and Discipline: Ph.D. or M.S. (or globally recognized equivalent) in Microbiology Food Science Biology or related field.

Experience - functional/industry/commercial knowledge business acumen:

• In depth knowledge of manufacturing environments microbial control strategies and hygienic design
  - In depth knowledge of food microbiology growth and survival characteristics
  - Highly skilled in risk assessment communication and management techniques
  - In depth knowledge of thermal processing including conducting or leading validation studies
  - Strong track record of successful partnering with Product Development R&D Engineering and Operations to embed Quality & Food Safety principles in product and process development.

Interpersonal Skills - leadership interactions communication influence:

-Strong collaboration and communication skills with demonstrated ability to influence and lead change
-Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives.
-Able to make critical decisions in a timely manner according to business need
-Ability to analyse complex data and identify the necessary information to support problem solving
-Business savvy in all aspects of the role functions
-Innovative solution seeker with a continuous improvement mindset
-Strong project and personnel management skills

Preferred Qualifications

Level of Education and Discipline: Ph.D. in Microbiology preferred
Certification and/or Licenses: Thermal Process Authority designation/certification preferred
Other Skills and HPO Competencies: Hygienic design and pathogen control principles. Strong relationship-building collaboration and influence skills.

Dimension
The role will be a key driver and guide for Quality and Food Safety by Design at McCormick. Establishing ways of working that drive failure prevention focused at point of design. It will work in close support and collaboration with R&D and Quality partners. Requires in-depth understanding of plant operations and expert level understanding of food safety and applied microbiology technology. Needs to be current with regulatory and industry requirements; Operating knowledge of global food safety regulations.
Needs to be able to anticipate and adapt to changes in external environment. Needs to be able to seek innovative solutions and encourages the same in staff and informally influence Plant QA and Operations.

#LI-CG1

McCormick & Company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex gender identity sexual orientation race color religion national origin disability protected veteran status age or any other characteristic protected by law.

As a general policy McCormick does not offer employment visa sponsorships upon hire or in the future.

Base Salary: $ 100870 - 176480

Base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location skills education experience for this role and/or internal equity of our current employees as part of any final offer. This position is also eligible to participate in McCormicks Incentive Bonus (MIB) addition to a competitive compensation package permanent employees of McCormick are eligible for our extensive Total Rewards programs that include:

- Comprehensive health plans covering medical vision dental life and disability benefits

- Family-friendly benefits such as paid parental leave fertility benefits Employee Assistance Program and caregiver support

- Retirement and investment programs including 401(k) and profit-sharing plans