Job Summary
OVERVIEW
The Microbiology Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the microbiology laboratory. This role ensures compliance with food safety standards, regulatory requirements, and internal quality protocols. The supervisor will lead a team of lab analysts, manage testing schedules, and support continuous improvement initiatives to uphold Product Safety.
REQUIREMENTS/ QUALIFICATIONS
- Degree in Microbiology, Biological Sciences, Food Science or related field.
- +3 years of experience in a food manufacturing quality role.
- Strong knowledge of microbiological testing methods and food safety standards.
- Experience with GMP, HACCP, environmental monitoring programs, and aseptic processing as per GLP requirements.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and laboratory information management systems (LIMS) preferred.
COMPETENCIES
- Timely decision making
- Planning
- Problem solving
- Presentation Skills
- Priority setting
- Drive for results
- Developing direct reports and others
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
· Supervise microbiology lab personnel, including training, scheduling, and performance management.
· Ensure timely and accurate microbiological testing of raw materials, finished goods, and environmental samples.
· Maintain compliance with FDA, FSMA, and other relevant food safety regulations.
· Review and approve lab results, investigate out-of-specification findings, and initiate corrective actions.
· Oversee calibration, maintenance, and validation of lab equipment.
· Manage documentation including SOPs, lab records, and quality reports.
- Define and track performance metrics for the laboratory.
· Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Production, Sanitation, Manufacturing Technology) to resolve quality issues.
· Support internal and external audits, including regulatory inspections and customer visits.
· Drive continuous improvement in lab processes and food safety programs.
KEY STAKEHOLDERS / INTERNAL CUSTOMER
- Quality Manager
- Product Safety Site Leader
- Process Engineers
- Production
- Global Quality
WORKING CONDITIONS
We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.
Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more
Skills Required
- Degree in Microbiology, Biological Sciences, Food Science or related field.
- +3 years of experience in a food manufacturing quality role.
- Strong knowledge of microbiological testing methods and food safety standards.
- Experience with GMP, HACCP, environmental monitoring programs, and aseptic processing as per GLP requirements.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and laboratory information management systems (LIMS).
IFF Family of Companies Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about IFF Family of Companies and has not been reviewed or approved by IFF Family of Companies.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered competitive in many roles and locations, and compensation is often described as good.
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Parental & Family Support — A global minimum of 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave for all new parents is in place. This policy is positioned as a notable component of the overall package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Core offerings include paid time off, sick days, holidays, and sabbatical leave. Flexible scheduling options such as compressed workweeks and hybrid/remote arrangements are available where feasible.
IFF Family of Companies Insights
What We Do
Meet IFF: We boldly bring together science and creativity to create what the world needs. An industry leader in food, beverage, health and biosciences, we create essential solutions – from global icons to unexpected innovations and experiences. Equal parts outspoken and analytical, our international collective of thinkers working with customers to bring scents, tastes, experiences, ingredients and solutions for products people crave. With 24,000 employees across 65 countries, more than 110 manufacturing facilities, 100 R&D centers, and 33,000 customers across the world, we’re poised to make a difference on an unprecedented scale. Without our boundary-pushing passion and end-to-end expertise, the future wouldn’t be the same. Visit us at www.iff.com to learn more about how our talented people and new technology are challenging the expected, championing creators and doing more good for people and planet. Explore what sets us apart.
