Manager (Regional) Microbiology Food Safety - Nutrition - Columbus, OH

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines.

Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Microbiology Regional Manager

About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people’s health. We’re always looking towards the future, anticipating changes in medical science and technology.

Our nutrition business develops science-based nutrition products for people of all ages, from helping babies and children grow, to keeping adult bodies strong and active.

Millions of people around the world count on our leading brands including Similac, PediaSure, Pedialyte, Ensure, and Glucerna to help get the nutrients they need to live their healthiest life.

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life.

You’ll also have access to :

• Training and career development , with onboarding programs for new employees and tuition assistance
• Financial security through competitive compensation, incentives and retirement plans
• Health care and well-being programs including medical, dental, vision, wellness and occupational health programs, Medical Benefits start day 1
• Vacation 3 weeks accrued vacation (1st yr. is prorated) + vacation buy program + 3 personal days + 10 paid holidays
• 401(k) retirement savings with a generous company match of 5%
• Tuition reimbursement, the student debt program and education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.
• The stability of a company with a record of strong financial performance and history of being actively involved in local communities

Our location in Columbus OH, currently has an opportunity for a Regional Manager of Microbiology.

Position will serve as the Regional Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all microbiology-related issues identified as affecting assigned Abbott Nutrition Plants.

Will coordinate activities between the affected plant or plants and the larger R&D QA or Quality organizations to provide rapid resolution of emerging and outstanding microbiological quality issues.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Primary functions include but are not limited to :

• Assists and supports factory microbiology, quality, engineering and / or other personnel in conducting :
• Hazard analyses (HACCP) and risk assessments related to microbiological hazards.
• Microbiological related root-cause investigations
• Conduct and ensure plant level review and interpretation of microbiological data and relevant KPI’s to drive improvements.
• Act as the SME for the consistent and practical application of the Environmental Monitoring Programs (EMP), gowning and other hygiene protocols, cleaning and sanitation practices, microbiological analyses, and the Global Microbiological Standard.
• Works with functional group peers to define and / or assess ingredient, product, process, and package attributes relative to microbiological quality control.
• Capable of working with R&D to assure processes used in development can be duplicated in commercial operations while maintaining microbiological quality and safety.
• Anticipates conflict in project attributes and operations capability and drives resolution.
• Capable of designing and managing through completion and interpreting the results of research projects that support the microbiological safety and quality of new and existing nutritional products and production processes.

Core Job Responsibilities

Monitors ingredient, product, process, package quality performance and identifies microbiological quality related issues and trends.

Independently works with functional, operations and commercial groups to develop and implement corrective actions in order to support microbiological quality / safety.

• Works closely with R&D, Sterilization Technology and Quality Systems on problems of diverse and challenging scope requiring innovative solutions guided by familiar policies and practices.
• Knowledgeable in the areas of food microbiology, hazard analysis, quality risk assessment, statistical process control and other advanced data analysis / problem solving techniques.
• Technical expert in designated product categories (e.g., liquid, powder, bar) within assigned Region. Collates and communicates information relating to the microbiology of product categories within region.
• Provides guidance and support in the establishment of microbiological quality criteria (EMP, specifications, testing requirements, etc.

and in the evaluation of new manufacturing facilities, third-party manufacturers, and suppliers.

• Provides recommendations and solutions in order to support business needs with regards to microbiological quality.
• Analyzes data, scientific literature and / or results of experiments and translates into actionable recommendations with risks clearly identified and communicated.
• Contribute to the oversight and / or preparation of Quality documentation to support policy / procedures, methodologies, formulation changes, specifications, etc.

Supervisory / Management Responsibilities

• May lead a team or teams and provide direction to accomplish specific objectives in a given time frame and with limited resources.
• May manage non-exempt employees or, on a project basis, direct the activities of other exempt employees.
• Frequently interacts with all levels across the Division and production facilities, especially functional peer project managers and other Division management.

May also interact with Corporate and other divisions, as well as outside Regulatory Agencies.

• Monitors quality performance criteria, identifies trends. Recommends corrective action and, where appropriate, independently acts to implement corrective action.
• Acts as a resource and coach to members of site microbiology laboratories.
• Deals effectively with people of varying functions and levels of expertise.

Position Accountability Scope

• With minimal supervision, can apply experience to effectively anticipate and prioritize potential quality issues even in new, novel situations.
• Has broad understanding of implications of issues. Independently assesses risk of most important issues and develops action plans to minimize.
• Understands the broad implications of decisions across functions. Exhibits broad understanding of the impact of quality related design criteria on product and operational costs.
• Applies communication skills to influence decisions and other functional groups.
• Ability to identify and articulate costs, risks and benefits of alternative solutions.
• May be responsible to track and report project costs and expenses.
• Makes independent decisions having moderate risk profiles due to the individual's broad base of knowledge and judgment.
• Able to solve complex technical issues and ensures follow up and proactive resolution in conjunction with their manager.
• Capacity to manage multiple assignments and / or tasks concurrently while meeting appropriate deadlines.
• Able to travel up to 40%. (varies)

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE, YOU’LL BRING

Required

Bachelor's Degree, Microbiology, or closely related area (e.g. Biology, Food Science). Advanced degree preferred or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred :

• Previous experience managing project and / or work groups.
• Attention to detail and accuracy are important to effective performance.
• Broad understanding of Food Safety Microbiology.
• 10-12 years of experience in food, pharmaceutical, health care or related industry preferred.

MISC :

• This is an onsite role located in Columbus OH. This is not a remote role.
3 days ago