Microbiologist, Innovation & Quality by Design

HUNT VALLEY, MD, US, 21031

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

McCormick employees – all 14,000 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 rewards. In addition to the benefits you’d 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. 

 

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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. 

 

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Base Salary: $ 100,870 - 176,480

 

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 McCormick’s Incentive Bonus (MIB) Plan. In 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

WHY WORK AT MCCORMICK?

United by flavor. Driven by results.

As a McCormick employee you’ll be empowered to focus on more than your individual responsibilities. You’ll have the opportunity to be part of something bigger than yourself—to have a say in where the company is going and how it’s growing.

Between our passion for flavor, our 130-year history of leadership and integrity, the competitive and comprehensive benefits we offer, and our culture, which is built on respect and opportunities for growth, there are many reasons to join us at McCormick.


Nearest Major Market: Baltimore