As the Senior Microbiologist, reporting to the Microbiology Manager, you'll be part of a team that is an essential component of the food safety, quality, and microbiology program at Conagra Brands. You'll partner with internal departments and functions including Quality, Engineering, Thermal Processing, Sanitation, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, Consumer Affairs, Legal & Safety, and with Operations. This is not a laboratory-based role.
Position Responsibilities
- Provide input and direction to the Conagra strategic food safety vision consistent with company direction and focus.
- Champion a culture mindset of food safety first and foremost both horizontally and vertically across the Conagra enterprise.
- Ensure the adoption of best food safety and quality practices across the organization including pathogen environmental monitoring programs, food safety sampling and testing regimens, and leading-edge methods deployment.
- Conduct risk assessments and provide guidance during food safety incidents, recommending appropriate mitigation strategies.
- Collaborate with key stakeholders such as Procurement, Co-manufacturing Quality and others to ensure Conagra's food safety standards are rigorously adhered to across the Global Supply Chain.
- Ensure that all appropriate pre-requisite programs to HACCP including training, GMP's, SSOP's, and others are developed and functioning as part of Conagra's overall food safety system.
- Gather and study data trends and provide technical support to inform food safety and quality decisions.
- Manage and perform technical tasks within assigned responsibilities.
- Conduct audits, train plant teams for issue management and procedure compliance, and support resolution of food safety and quality issues on-site.
- Design and implement procedures and support cross-functional QA initiatives and supplier improvements.
- Ensure Food Safety Plans (HACCP) are current and compliant with ConAgra, FDA, and USDA standards; provide technical support to maintain regulatory compliance.
- Collaborate outside of FSQRA organization to drive efficiencies and effectiveness with regards to food safety and quality.
Position Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or related field required; MS/PhD degree preferred.
- 5+ years related industry experience.
- Experience with HACCP and related food safety systems as applied at the food manufacturing plant level.
- Experience communicating scientific concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Technical leadership experience with an understanding of business needs and processes.
- Experience with government regulations (FDA/USDA/CDC/State and Local and international).
- Experience managing cross-functional teams and technical teams in the area of food safety.
- Experience with statistical and analytical tools.
- In the Chicago Office Monday - Thursday
- Depending on the needs of the business, operational impact at the plant level will require 25% to 75% travel. Must be able to travel independently and as a responsible Conagra representative.
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Compensation:
Pay Range:$81,000-$118,000The 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.
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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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