Hygiene Technologist (Microbiologist)

Vacancy NameHygiene Technologist (Microbiologist)
Employment TypePermanent
CountryUnited Kingdom
LocationCardiff
Business AreaOperations
Workplace TypeOnsite
About PrincesThe Princes Group has over 7, employees with offices and production sites in the UK, Netherlands, Italy, Poland, France and Mauritius. Princes manufactures different food and drink products responsibly sourced and enjoyed by consumers every day. None of this would be possible without striving to be an employer of choice, where our colleagues are proud to represent our business.
Role DescriptionWorking as part of the Technical team based on 24/7 12 hour shift pattern.
Managing the microbiological testing of raw materials, finished product, water and environmental swabbing & monitoring processes. Providing results and recommendations based on results obtained. Maintain CLAS microbiological accreditation including appropriate customer standards.

Principle Accountabilities:
Safety & Environment

Ensure you lead by example, undertaking your role safely, adhering to all site controls and safe working practices, challenging unsafe behaviour and practices of employees and peers. Promote Health & Safety by adhering to and enforcing good practices. Understand the teams’ impact on the environment and what can be done to reduce this. Checks that laboratory areas where duties are taking place are kept clean in accordance with the “clean as you go” policy. Identifies and reports any Safety or Environmental issues to the Quality Improvement Leader. Ensure PPE is worn correctly at all times, in accordance with site procedures and challenge non-conformance. Understand the risks involved in your area of work and identify gaps within the risk assessments and resolves them methodically based on the risk. Ensures that accidents and near misses are reported in the proper manner. Ensures that all chemicals are stored correctly i.e. aromas are returned to the correct locked store or stored within the laboratory flammable cupboards.

Quality Ensure microbiological testing, methods and laboratory comply with CLAS and customer requirements. Monitor environmental conditions by maintaining an effective plant hygiene monitoring system, by examining cleaning regimes to reduce the number of product contamination/deterioration incidents to a minimum.Assess the microbiological risk associated with raw ingredients, identifying those that are a hazard and monitoring them to ensure that product maintains it's 'quality' throughout its life.Use D-Count equipment to test raw materials prior to tanker off-load and drum usage.Carry out routine assessment of filled finished product to ensure conformance to specification.Assist in the development of new products assessing the microbiological safety of the product prior to its launch, to prevent 'unsafe' products being produced.Maintain the micro laboratory equipment and general operation to comply with accreditation systems. Ensuring that any waste is disposed of correctly.In conjunction with the shift coordinators, review and improve housekeeping, hygiene and GMP practices to ensure that standards are achieved and improved upon.Provide additional information and findings to other internal departments to allow improvements to be made to keep product within required specifications.Participate in equipment CIP & sterility validation & product routine shelf-life monitoring.Be proficient in site analytical testing & provide support when required e.g. Thursday Day shift absence cover.Have Internal Auditor training and be part of the site Internal Audit Team to review site compliance to internal processes.Involve the QA Manager and/or Technical Manager when decisions are outside provided guidelines.
Cost Control the use of all consumable materials used in the microbiological laboratory, ensuring that work is not delayed by lack of resource.Continuously strives to improve work practices and identify more efficient ways of working.
Delivery Contribute to the achievement of OEE by communication relating to CIP ATP test trends, raw material & packed product trends, environmental testing and GMP / Hygiene findings. Recognise, report and investigate faults / problems to the appropriate person promptly.
People Respect your colleagues, peers and the Company.Promote site vision, management decisions and all site policies and procedures in a manner which meets Princes expectations.Effectively communicate on “one to one” and team basis, such that individual/ business developments and requirements are clearly understood.Identify and report to the QA Manager any training or development needs required by their team.Effectively listens to ideas or problems from their team members and feedback on issues / ideas where possible.Leads by example.Support the company values Ensure that the Princes Code of Conduct is adhered to at all times.Perform any other duties required by the QA Manager
These are the key daily tasks, not a comprehensive list of all tasks undertaken by the job holder. Flexibility is required by the business & this will be agreed with the individual’s line manager Role RequirementsKnowledge, Skills & Experience:
A current/previous hygiene background ideally from working for a Manufacturer. It would be advantageous to have FMCG experience. Ideally experience with CIP (Clean-In-Place) managing automated cleaning within a Manufacturing facility. A Technical understanding of HACCP would be desirableAn understanding of Micro would is preferred given the nature of the role. To maintain product Food Safety, Legality, Integrity, Authenticity and Quality standards by ensuring all associated policies and procedures are adhered to.
Benefits: 25 Days Annual Leave plus Birthday off14.5% Pension – 5% employee opt in / 9.5% employerFlexible Holiday Option - Buy 5 Additional DaysEnhanced Family Friendly & Carers PoliciesCritical Illness CoverLearning & Development OpportunitiesPotential Corporate Incentive Scheme (company performance based)
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