Corporate Microbiologist

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 Scien