Micro Lab Technician - 1st shift

Ajinomoto Foods North America•San Diego, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the FSQA Manager or Supervisor, the FSQA Microbiology Technician performs microbiological testing and analysis to confirm sanitary conditions and protect the safety and quality of the manufacturing environment and finished products. The role executes the Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP), conducts routine and investigative testing, actively detects and eliminates microbiological risks, maintains laboratory operations, analyzes and trends data, leads or supports investigations, and ensures compliance with corporate FSQA standards, regulatory requirements, and Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs).

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, Food Science, Food Technology, or related scientific field preferred.
Food manufacturing FSQA or microbiology laboratory experience strongly preferred.
Must be able to pass quarterly proficiency testing for microbial analysis for APC, Coliform, Yeast, Mold and Staphylococcus aureus/CP Staph.
Proficiency in microbiological techniques including serial dilutions, plating, and sample preparation.
Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills.
Competency with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and data trending tools.
Understanding GLPs, EMPs, and regulatory microbiological requirements.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Must be fluent in English (written and verbal).
Good English communication skills (reading, writing, and verbal) are essential to interface with the various levels of plant management, co-workers, and suppliers.
Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, climb, and lift up to 50 lbs.
Good eyesight for reading microbiological results and performing pre-operational inspections.
Exposure to manufacturing environments with noise, temperature variation, moving equipment, and humidity.

Nice To Haves

Certifications such as HACCP, PCQI, SQF, ASQ are desirable.
Bilingual (Spanish)

Responsibilities

Perform routine and investigative microbiological testing.
Read and interpret incubated plates in accordance with SOP. Creates appropriate sampling plans.
Follows aseptic techniques to prevent sample contamination. Plate finished products (FP), RTE ingredients, intermediate ingredients, pre-operational environmental swabs, and other assigned samples within required timeframes.
Collect microbiological samples from: Environmental and equipment surfaces by zone, Ingredients during production as required, Air, water, compressed air, and handwash verification samples, Microbiology laboratory surfaces and utensils, Other areas as necessary.
Execute and maintain the site Environmental Monitoring Program per EMP policy.
Collect and manage environmental swabs by zone, update presumptive maps, and ensure all swab sites are covered annually.
Perform swabbing at least 3 hours after production runs on randomized days, and all shifts.
Prepare and present the EMP program, including RCA to auditors.
Review, update, and maintain EMP sites, zones, and documentation.
Communicate with Sanitation and cross-functional teams regarding EMP findings, construction containment monitoring, and new equipment swabbing schedules.
Lead positive environmental swab and presumptive/OOS microbiological investigations.
Initiate root cause analysis and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) with cross-functional teams. Maintain all records required for investigations.
Identify trends in microbial failures and escalate to FSQA leadership.
Utilize root cause analysis tools such as 5-Why and Ishikawa (Fishbone).
Maintain accurate microbiological records, reports, and trending logs including: Finished product results (SafetyChain or LIMS), Daily pre-operational environmental swabs (Excel), Ingredients results (Excel).
Review, sign off, and file: EMP weekly results, LIMS reports, Certificates of Analysis (COAs).
Track and report monthly microbiological testing metrics, including non-FG samples.
Update presumptive maps and zone summaries monthly.
Update and maintain the laboratory manual with all current policies and procedures, including the environmental site program.
Be fully capable to manage sample and swabs through the external laboratory database.
Verify and document: Incubator, refrigerator, and freezer temperatures (Micro Lab & FSQA Lab), Scale calibration using certified test weights (handled with gloves or tongs only), Pipettor functionality prior to plating.
Schedule annual calibration of laboratory equipment (scales, test weights, pipettors).
Autoclave Petrifilm and laboratory utensils and maintain records.
Perform daily cleaning and weekly deep cleaning including: Cleaning and sanitizing of counters, equipment and incubator racks, Dust removal under equipment, Sweeping and mopping floors.
Ensure daily lab gowning compliance (clean smocks and hairnets each shift).
Maintain laboratory inventory, stock low items, issue purchase orders, and support annual supply budgeting.
Verify production schedules to ensure item numbers and lot numbers are correctly recorded on sample labels.
Perform production floor observations across processing areas and lines.
Inspect equipment and facilities for sanitation deficiencies and food safety risks.
Support hazard analyses, risk assessments, and Certificates of Analysis as required.
Communicate with external analytical laboratories and coordinate sample submissions.
Assist in training laboratory and plant personnel on microbiological and food safety procedures.
Communicate failures and corrective actions with Sanitation, FSQA leadership, and production teams.
Responsible for communicating with outside analytical laboratories.
Follow all facility safety rules, FSQA programs, and regulatory requirements.
Available for 24/7 emergency work assignments when required.
Indirect responsibility for controlling quality and food safety costs through compliance to specifications, prevention of product loss, and effective investigations.