**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. **The role:** Position will serve as a Senior Microbiologist supporting globally, ingredient, commodity and primary packaging component qualifications, supporting microbiological quality projects and procedure improvements, and resolution of microbiologically related challenges. You will coordinate activities between the affected plant or plants and the larger R&D QA or Quality organizations to provide rapid resolution to microbiological quality issues. Primary functions include but are not limited to: + Support as the microbiological Subject Matter Expert (SME) for ingredient, commodity, and primary packaging component hazards and qualifications. + Review and approve ingredient and commodity specifications. + Act as the SME to resolve microbiological quality issues related to ingredients, commodities and primary packaging components. + Assists and supports factory microbiology, quality, engineering and/or other personnel in conducting: + Hazard analyses (HACCP) and risk assessments related to microbiological hazards + Environmental Monitoring Program support + Microbiological related root-cause investigations + 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. + Analyses 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 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** **_I_** **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 within region (EMEA) up to 25%. **Minimum Education** + Bachelor's Degree, Microbiology, or closely related area (e.g. Biology, Food Science). Advanced degree preferred. **Minimum Experience/Training Required** + 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 An Equal Opportunity Employer Abbot welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce. We provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. To request accommodation, please call 224-667-4913 or email corpjat@abbott.com