R&d Microbiology and Food Safety Specialist

Our approach to business is to start with facts, based in science and our passion is to work towards a better shared future to make a difference in people’s lives, communities, and our planet.The role of Food Safety & Microbiology Specialist is to provide technical support to microbiology initiatives for Plant Based and Dairy aimed at supporting the Beverages for Life vision for growth which includes the increasingly sensitive products that require new skills and capabilities for success. This position will serve as the R&D Microbiology and Food Safety Subject Matter Expert (SME) for LATAM.**What You’ll Do for Us**- Provide the framework and tools for ensuring the quality and integrity of R&D products through the on-going developments.- Provide appropriate technical support for microbiological inquiries and concerns to product developers and process/equipment engineers.- Provide guidance on microbiological sensitivity of ingredients, processes, and finished products through microbiological risk assessment (MRA);- During product development phase, coordinate microbiological examination of ingredients and finished products, internally or externally, to determine their microbial load and sensitivity.- Review and recommend changes to proposed formulas, products, or packages to ensure effective and efficient production including an evaluation and review of thermal processing parameters of a formula prior to approval to deliver microbiological stability.- Work closely with R&D LATAM and Global Microbiology team to support the use of the Microbiology Decision Tree and the exception process in addition to following the corporate process for ingredient specification and method validation.- Work closely with internal and external laboratories in the LATAM region to develop the right capability and expertise to support short and long-term R&D strategies and initiatives.- Assist troubleshooting related to microbiology for ingredients, process design and formulation.- Provide training to the R&D team to keep building capability and strengthening the culture of food safety and microbiology.- Define microbiological protocol for thermal process equipment validation.- Define microbiological protocols for microbiological challenge studies for preserved beverages.**Qualification & Requirements**Education: bachelor’s degree or University in Microbiology or Food or Biochemical (or similar) engineering.Experience in Beverages or comparable products, desirable master’s degree in food and process microbiology, dairy science, food science, animal science or related field. Desirable knowledge in carbonated soft drinks, teas, juices, dairy, hydration, plant protein-based and low content alcoholic beverages.**Related Work Experience: At** least 5-year experience in the food industry.**Language**: Fluent in English, written and spoken. Advanced Spanish and Portuguese desirable.**Travel**: 30%, domestic and international**Functional Skills**:- Advanced Food Microbiology (applied microbiology)- Microbiology analysis- To support Setting Standards & Specifications- Laboratory Practices: Knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices (e.g., handling of chemicals and glassware, preparation of standards and reagents, proper measuring techniques, data management, housekeeping).- Manufacturing Processes Knowledge of basic manufacturing and assembly processes- Thermal Process (UHT (direct and indirect heating), retort, tunnel pasteurization, HTST) and Filling technologies (Cold Fill, Hot Fill, Aseptic Fill)**Soft Skills**- Ability to work in a Network organization.- Business holist view- Teamwork- Leadership**What We Can Do **For** You**- ** Purpose Driven**:Purpose driven approach that empowers our people to protect the environment and communities we serve while delivering safe & quality products.- ** Global Connections**: Allows you to develop, enhance and maintain global connections that allow us to move faster and learn from others.Our approach to business is to start with facts, based in science and our passion is to work towards a better shared future to make a difference in people’s lives, communities, and our planet.The role of Food Safety & Microbiology Specialist is to provide technical support to microbiology initiatives, acting as the R&D Microbiology and Food Safety Subject Matter Expert (SME) for LATAM.**What You’ll Do for Us**- Design, develop, conduct and/or review experiments (e.g., laboratory or process experiments) to deliver new products; evaluate ingredient, product or packaging safety, efficacy, or claims; or evaluate new ingredients, materials, products, or processes.- Record data from analyses or experiments in a computer, logbook, or laboratory notebook.- Prepare samples and sampling plan for ingredients, intermediate or finished products, or other materials to perform analyses (e.g., chemical, physical, sensory, microbiological).- Gather and organize information und