Microbiology R&D Senior Scientist - Foods

Job Title: Microbiology R&D Senior Scientist - Foods

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world. 

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our, collaborative, and flexible working environment. Our organizational ambition centers around creating workplaces that foster equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging across all aspects of our business. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

ABOUT FOOD SOLUTIONS  (UFS)

Act like a founder, be part of a Winning team, accelerate your growth, stay ahead of the curve, enjoy the journey: JOIN UFS

Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) is the 2nd largest Business Unit of Unilever, is one of the 3 Power brands of the Foods Business Group, and a global market leader in Food Service. We are an independent Global Business Unit that operates in over 76 countries, and employs ~4000 employees. We have a unique B2B business model focused on serving chefs and our purpose is to free them to love what they do.

We at UFS have a bold and clear ambition and strategy in place for 2030 with a bold ambition on turnover and profitability, by being the best solution provider to our growing operator base. We plan to do this via a product first focus on superiority, by becoming the leader in AI powered Customer experience and by nurturing a Winning culture. We have had a history of delivering with excellence and resilient performance in the past few years. We also strive to stay 3 steps ahead in the industry. For example, our Future Menus Report identifies emerging culinary trends, making us a trendsetter for inspiring innovative solutions for chefs worldwide.

We have a culture of caring deeply not just for our business but also for our people. We foster an entrepreneurial culture built on speed, simplicity, trust, and a deep hunger to grow. Our people thrive on their roles being empowered and end to end - across all functions. We also invest heavily in building future skills and leaders. Our People agenda of Accelerate-Grow-Thriveconsistently helps us lead in employee engagement, with scores exceeding Unilever scores across all dimensions and being one of the most engaged teams at Unilever.

Here, you will continuously learn, unlearn, and relearn, challenging yourself to accelerate your development in an end-to-end business and in end-to-end roles.If you're dreaming of contributing to Unilever’s 2nd largest Business unit, a fast-growing business, where you're empowered so you can play to win and thrive as part of One Team with One Goal, then come and join us!

JOB PURPOSE

The Microbiology R&D Senior Scientist role supports R&D Product Development to deliver microbiological product safety by design for the North American Foods business (Condiments and Cooking Aids+Mini Meals teams for the Retail Foods and Food Service (UFS) businesses). 

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

You will be responsible to ensure microbiological food safety is designed into formulations and production processes during product development and innovation, including:

• Micro validation support (formulation advice to ensure safety by design; defining testing & coordinating with labs; designing custom experimental design for non-routine tests if needed)

• Guidance for safe deployment of new products into production operations including storage, handling and consumer end use

• Supporting R&D and QA teams in troubleshooting and advising on formulation & factory issues

• Refining the ways of working & support of Foods Microbiology for North America

• Interfacing with & ensuring compliance of external micro labs to our testing requirements and standards

This is a Microbiology R&D primary lead role that will be relied upon for providing guidance and expertise to specific Product Categories in Foods (Dressings/Condiments, Cooking Aids+Mini Meals), supporting Product Development Teams and Factory QA personnel. Must have strong familiarity with Acidified Foods requirements of 21 CFR Part 108 and 114. 

• Performing product formulation safety assessments
• Providing expertise and guidance to ensure microbiological safety by design
• Defining critical specifications
• Directing and/or conducting microbiological challenge tests for design of formulations for spoilage prevention, and pathogen challenges for safety,  shelf-life studies
• Hands-on knowledge of basic microbiological lab activities
• Direct expert guidance to Quality Assurance and factory personnel; and microbiological commissioning of new products and lines in factories.  
• The work includes primary liaison directing 3rd Party Laboratory activities. 
• Should ensure Good Laboratory Practices and adequate controls and verifications; ensuring microbiology tests are conducted proficiently and safely, including working with food-borne pathogens. 

This role also is responsible to provide expertise to factory QA to assist in risk management, microbiological control programs, and evaluation of deviations.  Role is approx. 20% Laboratory Guidance based; 50% R&D support; and up to 30% Supply Chain Microbiology support at times; and may involve travel 5-10% to support factory activities, such as, new product deployment, evaluating 3rd Party Labs and manufacturing sites, line commissioning, and providing training.

Specific category job-related training will be provided, and then the role is then performed with limited supervision. 

What You’ll Need To Succeed

Experiences & Qualifications

The position is suitable for an experienced individual who can perform in a demanding environment, typical of a fast-paced large consumer and packaged goods company. The role requires ability to work independently while supporting R&D product developers and supply chain QA. You will be providing expertise in food safety, product and process validations, strong factory hygienic design and sanitation experience, and FDA FSMA Preventative Controls. 

• Master’s Degree in Microbiology with 5-7 years’ experience in Foods R&D; or PhD in Food Microbiology

• 2-3 years’ experience in Foods R&D.

• Preference for factory hygienic design experience.

• Ability to move in a high paced environment, with multiple projects and testing studies.

• Requires excellent organizational skills

• Strong guidance on risk to business & non-expert stakeholders.

• Must have strong familiarity with Acidified Foods requirements of 21 CFR Part 108 and 114. 

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Skills

• Supervisory: You feel comfortable making prudent decisions involving risk, and comfortable in defending and having decisions questioned.

• Problem Solving: Your expertise and guidance will be strongly relied upon by R&D Product Developers, Management, and Supply Chain QA personnel. Strong desire to introduce new technologies.

• Communications: Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.   Proficiency in writing technical reports and presenting data. 

• Leadership:As a Food Safety Champion, new ways of working and new technologies will become important initiatives in this role.   GLPs champion.

• Team Commitment:Consumer preferences for natural and clean labels will continue to proactively bring exciting new opportunities to product development and new challenges in promoting and assuring food safety.

Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviors

• PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results. Has an owner’s mindset, using data and insight to make decisions.
• PERSONAL MASTERY: Sets high standards for themselves. Actively builds own wellbeing and resilience.
• CONSUMER LOVE: Whatever their role, always looks for better ways to serve consumers. Invests time inside and outside to understand the needs of consumers.
• PURPOSE & SERVICE: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever.
• AGILITY: Explores the world around them, continually learning and developing their skills

What We Can Offer You

Culture for Growth | Top Notch Employee Health & Well Being Benefits | Every Voice Matters | Global Reach | Life at Unilever | Careers with Purpose | World Class Career Development Programs | Check Out Our Space | Focus On Sustainability

Pay: The pay range for this position is $86,080 to $129,120. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.

Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.

Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents

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Unilever is an organization committed to diversity and inclusion to drive our business results and create a better future every day for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. 

For more information about your Federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination isIllegal and Pay Transparency Non discrimination Provision.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at NA.Accommodations@unilever.com. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.