Food Microbiologist - Microbiology Lab

Join America’s favorite family bakery since 1934—home of Little Debbie®, Drake’s® Cakes, and Sunbelt Bakery® Granola Bars. Work with legacy brands that bring smiles to faces nationwide, including yours. You’ll experience a culture committed to work-life balance, guaranteed time off, and supportive health and wellness offerings. Enjoy profit sharing, long-term job security, and a range of exciting career paths. When you join McKee Foods, you’ll discover a better way to live and work.

Pay

Salaried grade 3 or 5
$56,500 - $73,400 / year, depending on experience and qualifications.

Actual salaries may vary and in some cases may be higher with extensive experience and strong performance.

This position is part of a career ladder that includes grades 3-7, indicating potential for advancement.

Schedule

1st Shift (Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

On-site

Location

10606 Apison Pike Collegedale, TN 37315

Job Summary

McKee Foods Corporation is seeking a Food Microbiologist to join our Microbiology Lab. As a part of the Microbiology team you will gain exposure to many facets of microbiological testing. This is a great chance to put your technical skills and knowledge to work to provide support and leadership in specific tasks such as preparing microbiological media, completing quality tests, preparing samples and more.  You will be a resource to a team that helps bring together technical knowledge, food safety and quality aspects of food manufacturing.  Responsibilities will include:

Providing expertise and functional support for microbiology lab to include media preparation, plating samples, operating automated detection equipment, and data entry of results

Providing leadership in solving problems and recommending company direction as it relates to microbiological issues

Developing technical methods and operating procedures for the microbiology lab
 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology, Chemistry, Biology or related field
• School lab or internship experience
• Ability to work in a team environment to accomplish continuous improvement
• Must be able to understand and communicate effectively with appropriate use of technical terminology
• Must be able to handle high degree of confidentiality
• Ability to handle detailed paperwork and maintain records
• Excellent organizational, prioritization and time management skills
• Strong interpersonal skills; must gain respect of peers and management
• High level of initiative and ability to work with minimal supervision
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact with all levels of the organization
• Willingness to receive additional training
• Flexibility to travel as needed. (estimated 5%)
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Food Microbiology or related field
• One or more years of related work experience
• Knowledge of, or experience with ISO principles for laboratories
• Technical knowledge of low moisture food manufacturing processes and related microbiological risks

Benefits

• Competitive weekly pay
• Profit-sharing cash bonus program
• 401(k) with matching contributions
• 25 days Paid Time Off (for vacation, holidays, sick time, personal time, etc.)
• Medical insurance, including health, dental, vision and prescription drug plan
• Supplemental plans, including life insurance
• Fully-paid parental leave
• Health Center and Pharmacy
• Mental wellness counseling (on-site in TN, virtual elsewhere)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Credit Union
• Exercise and recreation facility
• Wellness programs with incentives
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Short-term and long-term disability benefits (company-paid)

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer