Hiring: Assistant Manager – R&D Microbiologist (Food & FMCG)
We are a leading Food & Consumer Goods Business looking for an experienced Microbiologist - Assistant Manager (R&D) to lead our R&D microbiology laboratory, ensure product safety, and support exciting new product development and shelf-life initiatives.
Location: Chennai - Work from office
Experience: Minimum 5+ years in Food Microbiology (preferably R&D / FMCG / Food Ingredients / Nutraceuticals)
Qualification: M.Sc. in Microbiology, Food Microbiology, or Industrial Microbiology
Key Responsibilities:
Lab Leadership: Independently manage R&D lab operations, equipment calibration, media, reference cultures, and inventory. Method Validation & Challenge Studies: Develop, optimize, and validate microbiological methods for new food formats; execute preservative efficacy and challenge testing. Testing & Scale-Up Support: Conduct testing on raw materials, process intermediates, finished products, packaging, and water to support pilot scale-ups and factory trials. Failure Analysis & RCA: Investigate microbial deviations, contamination events, and out-of-spec (OOS) results; implement effective RCA & CAPA. Regulatory & Quality Compliance: Ensure complete compliance with FSSAI, BIS, ISO standards, GLP, and biohazard safety protocols. Key Technical Requirements:
Strong expertise in food spoilage/pathogens, method validation, shelf-life assessment, and environmental monitoring . Hands-on experience in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) & CAPA for microbial failures. Exposure to rapid microbiological methods, LIMS, or lab automation is an added advantage. 