Microbiologist

Job Title: Microbiologist Job Description
This role focuses on conducting microbiological testing and supporting food safety and quality programs within a food manufacturing environment. You will perform routine and specialized laboratory analyses on raw materials, finished products, and environmental samples to ensure compliance with regulatory, corporate, and customer specifications. The position follows a 4:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. shift and combines pre-operational inspections on the production floor with extensive microbiological testing in the lab. You will also contribute to HACCP coordination, documentation, and audit readiness while collaborating closely with operations, quality, and other cross-functional teams.
Responsibilities
- Perform approximately two hours of pre-operational inspections each day to assess the sanitary condition of processing areas and ensure they meet established standards before production begins.
- Conduct approximately six hours of microbiological testing in the laboratory each day on raw materials, in-process samples, finished products, and environmental swabs.
- Carry out microbiological analyses including mold, yeast, aerobic plate count, LAD, and coliform testing to verify product and environmental compliance with specifications.
- Conduct microbiological analysis on raw ingredients and finished products to determine their compliance with internal, corporate, and customer specifications.
- Perform additional chemical and physical analyses on raw ingredients and finished goods as needed to support product integrity and quality assurance.
- Maintain accurate and thorough records of all microbiological, chemical, and physical tests, ensuring documentation supports regulatory, customer, and internal requirements.
- Ensure that audit records meet or exceed regulatory and customer requirements, including documentation related to HACCP, GMPs, metal detection, lot control, and other quality systems.
- Review and monitor records pertaining to audits, such as HACCP, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), metal detector checks, and lot control programs.
- Update and review HACCP plans to ensure they remain current, effective, and compliant with applicable regulations and standards.
- Support food safety and quality programs to ensure Safe Quality Food (SQF) standards are met and maintained across the facility.
- Follow up with appropriate first-line action steps, such as placing product on hold or contacting vendors, when test results or inspections indicate potential issues.
- Monitor cleaning and sanitation activities of the sanitation crew to verify adherence to established procedures and ensure effective sanitation practices.
- Make and execute recommendations based on analytical results, including remedial actions to address nonconformances or potential food safety risks.
- Maintain an up-to-date knowledge base of new technologies, methods, and best practices in microbiology and food safety.
- Conduct microbiological analysis on finished products and environmental swabs from other locations, as needed, to determine compliance with corporate or customer specifications.
- Communicate environmental monitoring results promptly to leadership, including timely reporting of any deviations or trends that may impact food safety or quality.
- Ensure compliance with corporate quality assurance policies to meet audit standards for regulatory, customer, and internal requirements.
- Maintain readiness for, and participate in, first-, second-, and third-party audits, including preparation of documentation and on-site support during audits.
- Serve as HACCP Coordinator for the plant by managing the HACCP team, conducting annual HACCP team training, and overseeing HACCP-related recording, reporting, and program reviews.
- Verify that Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and incoming raw materials and packaging meet established specifications, including accurate Kosher compliance where applicable.
- Perform other quality assurance and laboratory duties as assigned by leadership to support overall food safety and quality objectives.
- Work beyond normal business hours, including after hours and weekends as needed, to support production schedules, audits, or urgent quality issues.
- Work in various conditions, including outdoor areas and adverse temperatures such as extreme heat, cold, and humidity when inspections or tasks require it.
Essential Skills
- Experience performing microbiological testing such as yeast, mold, aerobic plate count, LAD, and coliform analyses.
- Knowledge of microbiology laboratory techniques, including media preparation, plating, environmental monitoring, sterilization, and sample preparation.
- Familiarity with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and strong attention to detail in documentation and record keeping.
- Understanding of food safety principles and regulatory expectations, including FDA-related requirements.
- Ability to review and interpret microbiological, chemical, and physical test results and take appropriate corrective actions.
- Capability to conduct and document pre-operational inspections, sanitation verification, and environmental monitoring activities.
- Strong organizational skills to maintain audit-ready documentation for HACCP, GMPs, metal detection, lot control, and related programs.
- Effective communication skills to convey test results, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and support training and HACCP coordination.
- Ability to work early morning shifts (4:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) and flex schedule to include after hours and weekends when needed.
- Capacity to work in a food manufacturing setting, including exposure to extreme hot, cold, and humid conditions.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, or another science-related field, with 6+ months of laboratory testing experience (academic or work experience); or
- At least 1+ year of food testing experience with a high school diploma, GED, or HSED.
- Experience in quality control within a food manufacturing or laboratory environment.
- Familiarity with HACCP, GMPs, metal detection, lot control, and Safe Quality Food (SQF) programs.
- Experience working in microbiology laboratories, particularly those supporting food safety and quality.
- Knowledge of Certificates of Analysis (COAs), raw material and packaging specifications, and Kosher compliance requirements.
- Comfort working with FDA-regulated products and understanding basic regulatory frameworks.
- Team-oriented mindset with the ability to collaborate respectfully with colleagues at all levels, including highly experienced production staff.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, listen actively, and build positive working relationships across departments.
Work Environment
This role is based in a microbiology laboratory within a food manufacturing facility. The workday typically runs from 4:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with additional after-hours and weekend work as needed to support production and audits. You will divide your time between the lab and the production floor, performing pre-operational inspections and environmental monitoring as well as laboratory testing. The environment may include exposure to extreme hot, cold, and humid conditions, particularly when working in processing or storage areas. The culture emphasizes teamwork, mutual respect, and strong collaboration among HR, Operations, Quality, and other departments; no one is considered above another, and employees support one another to achieve common goals. Effective communication with line personnel, many of whom have decades of experience, is essential, and the environment values approachable, non-bossy behavior. The dress code is business casual, appropriate for both laboratory and production floor activities, with any additional safety or protective equipment provided as required by the facility.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Waukesha, WI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $70000.00 - $80000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. This is a direct placement position. Benefits will be provided upon start of assignment or earlier if requested by consultant.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Waukesha, WI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 9, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Waukesha,WI. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.