Reporting to the Microbiology Manager, you will be part of a team that is an essential component of the food safety, quality, and microbiology program. You will partner with internal departments and functions including Quality, Engineering, Thermal Processing, Sanitation, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, Consumer Affairs, Legal & Safety, and Operations to support enterprise-wide food safety initiatives. This is not a laboratory-based role and includes regular interaction with manufacturing facilities and cross-functional teams.
A Taste of Your Responsibilities
- Provide input and direction to the strategic food safety vision aligned with company priorities
- Champion a culture focused on food safety across the organization
- Ensure adoption of best-in-class food safety and quality practices including environmental monitoring programs and testing approaches
- Conduct risk assessments and provide guidance during food safety incidents, recommending mitigation strategies
- Collaborate with Procurement, Co-manufacturing Quality, and other stakeholders to maintain food safety standards across the global supply chain
- Ensure pre-requisite programs supporting HACCP such as training, Good Manufacturing Practices, and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures are effective and maintained
- Gather and analyze data trends to support food safety and quality decisions
- Perform and manage technical work within assigned responsibilities
- Conduct audits, train plant teams on compliance and issue management, and support onsite resolution of food safety and quality challenges
- Design and implement procedures supporting quality assurance initiatives and supplier improvements
- Ensure Food Safety Plans remain current and compliant with company, Food and Drug Administration, and United States Department of Agriculture standards
- Partner across functions to drive efficiency and effectiveness in food safety and quality programs
Ingredients Required for Your Success
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or related field required; Master’s or Doctorate preferred
- 5+ years of related industry experience in food manufacturing or food safety
- Experience with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points and related food safety systems at the plant level
- Experience communicating scientific concepts to technical and non-technical audiences
- Technical leadership experience with an understanding of business operations and processes
- Experience with government regulations including Food and Drug Administration, United States Department of Agriculture, Centers for Disease Control, and other regulatory bodies
- Experience leading cross-functional and technical teams in food safety
- Experience with statistical and analytical tools
- In the Chicago, IL or Omaha, NE office Monday - Thursday
- Depending on the needs of the business, operational impact at the plant level will require 50% to 75% travel
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.
Number of Days in Office: 4
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Compensation
Pay Range:$82,000-$120,000The 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
We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role:
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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or related field required; Master's or Doctorate preferred
- 5+ years of related industry experience in food manufacturing or food safety
- Experience with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points and related food safety systems at the plant level
- Experience communicating scientific concepts to technical and non-technical audiences
- Technical leadership experience with an understanding of business operations and processes
- Experience with government regulations including Food and Drug Administration, United States Department of Agriculture, Centers for Disease Control, and other regulatory bodies
- Experience leading cross-functional and technical teams in food safety
- Experience with statistical and analytical tools
Conagra Brands Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Conagra Brands and has not been reviewed or approved by Conagra Brands.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) plans with company matching and additional company contributions, plus pension eligibility for certain groups, strengthen long‑term savings. Plan design and vesting are described as straightforward and beneficial.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision coverage starts on day one for many roles and includes wellness, mental health, and transgender health benefits. Life and disability insurance further broaden protection.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Bonuses, profit sharing, and incentive opportunities are included broadly, with an annual incentive plan spanning career levels. Payouts and upfront clarity about bonus eligibility are characterized as dependable.
Conagra Brands Insights
What We Do
Conagra has the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. Our diverse team embraces debate to challenge marketplace/business conventions. We are respected for our great brands, great food, great margins and consistent results. We combine a rich heritage with a sharpened focus and entrepreneurial spirit. Conagra’s portfolio of iconic and emerging food brands continues to evolve to offer contemporary choices for every occasion. We are a 100 year-old company with a startup attitude - an imperative to transform how we do business. What’s not changing? Our timeless values: integrity, external focus, broad-mindedness, agility, leadership by all, and a focus on results.
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