Plant Microbiologist

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Abbott in Ireland

In Ireland, Abbott employs more than 3,200 people across 11 sites. Abbott has six manufacturing facilities located in Clonmel, Cootehill, Donegal, Longford and Sligo and a third party manufacturing management operation in Sligo. It has commercial operations in Dublin and shared services in Dublin and Westport. Abbott serves the Irish market with a diverse range of health care products including diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic pharmaceuticals. Abbott has been operating in Ireland since 1946.

Abbott Ireland Nutrition Division – Cootehill

Abbott Nutrition in Cootehill manufactures infant nutritional products for the export markets. The facility is dedicated to providing products of the highest quality standard to its customers.

Abbott Nutrition produces a range of infant formulae in all pack sizes under the brand name “Similac”. To complement the range of “Similac” infant formulae, the facility also manufactures a range of follow on formulae under the brand name of “Gain”. The essential ingredient is liquid skim milk and this is combined with carbohydrate, vegetable oils, vitamins and minerals. The product is blended, pasteurised, dried and packaged at the site and once packaged, is distributed to Europe, South East Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Canada.

Established in 1975, Abbott Nutrition in Ireland is the largest powder manufacturing facility for the production of infant formulae within the Abbott Corporation worldwide.

Approximately 1,000 dairy farms in Ireland and Northern Ireland supply quality milk to the Cootehill facility which processes 500,000 litres per day. This secure supply together with Ireland’s reputation as a green, clean environment is of significant strategic importance to Abbott Nutrition.

We currently have a temporary vacancy for a Plant Microbiologist and this position will include the following:

The purpose of the Plant Microbiologist is to oversee the general running and operation of the Microbiology Laboratory and all aseptic techniques associated with the manufacture of Infant and Follow on Formulae.

Responsibilities:

• General oversight and management of the Microbiology Laboratory, scheduling of tasks and training of a team of microbiologists
• Perform and approve all microbiological testing to support operations and product release.
• Participate in method transfer of all microbiological method transfers
• Full oversight of all testing performed in Third Party laboratories
• Manage the investigation into any non-conformances or environmental alerts
• Actively lead and support projects and quality initiatives as part of the continuous improvement program and Food Safety program and participate in all cross functional teams as required as the site SME for microbiology
• Manage the site Pest Control Program
• Participate as required in all global team relating to microbiology and wider quality activities
• Actively participate in plant auditing programme especially in the area of cGMP and micro control. Actively participate in the plant HACCP team providing clear and valuable contribution with regard to Microbiology and appropriate controls needed.
• Expected to ensure microbiology technology is reviewed against best practice and research possibility of rapid test methods suitable for use in the testing of infant formula.

Major Responsibilities

• The Plant Microbiologist will ensure all testing associated with Batch Release & Microbiological Analysis is carried out and analysed to ensure product manufactured is a safe and high quality product.

Supervisory/Management Responsibilities

• There are a number of Micro technicians reporting to this function.

Education Required

• Degree level education or equivalent, three years manufacturing experience in a quality assurance function within a regulated environment, excellent interpersonal and computer skills and the ability to work as an effective member of a high performance team. Degree in Microbiology, Food Science or equivalent

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of compliance and quality standards.

• Very good understanding of the microbiological techniques & methods used.
• Very good knowledge of the plant and all swabbing locations.

• Very good interpersonal skills

Discover why candidates choose a career at Abbott Ireland here

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