Microbiologist II

You’re not the person who will settle for just any role. Neither are we. Because we’re out to create Better Care for a Better World, and that takes a certain kind of person and teams who care about making a difference. Here, you’ll bring your professional expertise, talent, and drive to building and managing our portfolio of iconic, ground-breaking brands. In this role, you’ll help us deliver better care for billions of people around the world. It starts with YOU. 

The Microbiologist II will apply broad expertise in microbiology and quality management systems in the operation of the facility's microbiological laboratory, and in support of sanitary manufacturing. Serves as a microbiology resource for environmental monitoring, investigation, method transfer/validation, and other special projects as requested.

Customers:  Manufacturing Operations; Microbiology Team; Quality Assurance; Suppliers; Purchasing; BCC Staff and Global Quality teams; Planning; Logistics/Distribution; Research; Engineering.

Scope: The Microbiologist II works in the mill Microbiological Laboratory team, applying technical expertise to both routine and non-routine testing, evaluation of data, problem-solving of trends and quality non-compliances, compliance with applicable procedures and regulation, and support of continuous improvement efforts. The Microbiologist II takes work direction from the Quality Control Leader / Microbiology Laboratory Manager.

The role is expected to operate independently for day-to-day tasks and supports in providing informal work direction and technical expertise to fellow microbiologists and laboratory technicians.

In this role, you will:

• Demonstrate safety as a value by performing all job functions safely, while also complying with corporate policies and departmental procedures to reduce risk and eliminate loss.
• Manages self in accordance with the expected behaviors of Leadership Qualities. Effectively achieve results that meet business and individual objectives.
• Ensures activities and items follow both company quality assurance standards and applicable government regulations, such as GMPs and ISO requirements.
• Ensures that established manufacturing inspection, sampling and statistical process control procedures are followed as applicable.
• Performs production and quality systems audits.
• Maintain and demonstrate a high degree of knowledge and skill in product forms, quality systems, processes, and regulations.
• Establish and maintain good customer rapport, while driving solutions to meet business needs. Develop and maintain a strong spirit of partnership.
• Conduct all communications and transactions with the utmost integrity. Communicate fully with superiors, teammates, and others who have a need to know.
• Executes continuous improvement activities for established processes and initiates development of new processes.
• Builds and maintains personal capability in QMS, GMPs, and applicable regulation to support objectives.

Position Specific Accountabilities:

• Conduct routine and non-routine Microbiological testing on baby wipes finished product, production materials, raw materials, water, and specialized testing as required for troubleshooting or as part of an improvement project.
• Conduct all testing and work in conformance with established Good Lab Practices (GLP’s) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s).
• Accountable for Micro Team testing/results/record management, including Good Documentation Practice audits for Micro and Operations, as assigned.
• Accountable for organizing and facilitating execution of new hire Quality and Microbiology Lab training, as well as initial Microbiologist and Lab Technician certifications and annual re-certifications.
• Regularly review results for accuracy and timely release of finished product.
• Leads remediation efforts and investigations by working with fellow microbiologist’s and lab technicians to investigate and understand out of specification laboratory results.
• Supports development and execution of Micro Lab test method validations.
• Supports development and execution of cleaning & sanitization validations.
• Support the facility being regulatory audit-ready by maintaining full compliance to procedures, addressing gaps, and facilitating a timely closure to all assigned investigations and problem-solving activities.
• Support the laboratory ISO-17025 accreditation and surveillance audits.
• Provide Microbiology technical expertise and analysis to key customers and project teams.
• Leverages Microbiology technical expertise to develop, revise, and review procedures, work instructions, and forms.
• Work with trial leaders to coordinate testing of trial materials and finished product.
• Supports maintaining appropriate stock levels of laboratory supplies.
• Participate in/lead internal QMS audits.
• Work with external vendors, site equipment reliability team, and laboratory team to ensure laboratory equipment is calibrated, maintained, and in good working condition.
• Executes assigned continuous improvement activities for established processes and supports development of new processes.
• Conduct periodic audits of operating areas, sanitization procedures and microbiological laboratory activities to assure conformance to standards and verify effectiveness of training.
• Track, trend, and communicate microbiological data in a timely manner, and in a fashion that compels action.
• Contributes to an environment in which all team members are respected, regardless of their individual differences and are motivated to improve both their individual and team contributions to achieve desired business results.
• Serves as a site administrator for the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) software.
• Leads complex, special projects related to the microbiology laboratory, such as implementation of rapid microbiological methods.
• Function as the back-up to the Microbiology Lab Manager and Laboratory Lead Technician, as needed.

Required Job Functions:

• Core hours 7:30am to 4:00pm, with flextime as needed. Must be able to flex to support a 7-day operation, as circumstances dictate.
• Role models all Safety Requirements including Electrical Safe Working Practices, Hazard Recognition, and PPE
• Adhere to all Quality Requirements including strict Gowning and Hygiene requirements.
• Must be able to wear the required PPE while performing tasks.
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds twice each hour.
• Ascend and descend stairs, ladders, and ramps.
• Perform bending, twisting, stooping, and crouching movements.
• Capable of prioritizing tasks to meet goals and ensure product quality.
• Ability to develop a working knowledge of operational tasks required of Maumelle colleagues.
• Build culture, drive collaboration, personal & professional development

About Us

Huggies®. Kleenex®. Cottonelle®. Scott®. Kotex®. Poise®. Depend®. Kimberly-Clark Professional®. You already know our legendary brands—and so does the rest of the world. In fact, millions of people use Kimberly-Clark products every day. We know these amazing Kimberly-Clark products wouldn’t exist without talented professionals, like you.

At Kimberly-Clark, you’ll be part of the best team committed to driving innovation, growth and impact. We’re founded on more than 150 years of market leadership, and we’re always looking for new and better ways to perform – so there’s your open door of opportunity. It’s all here for you at Kimberly-Clark.

Led by Purpose. Driven by You.

About You

You perform at the highest level possible, and you appreciate a performance culture fueled by authentic caring.  You want to be part of a company actively dedicated to sustainability, inclusion, wellbeing, and career development.
You love what you do, especially when the work you do makes a difference. At Kimberly-Clark, we’re constantly exploring new ideas on how, when, and where we can best achieve results. When you join our team, you’ll experience Flex That Works: flexible (hybrid) work arrangements that empower you to have purposeful time in the office and partner with your leader to make flexibility work for both you and the business.

In one of our professional roles, you’ll focus on winning with consumers and the market, while putting safety, mutual respect, and human dignity at the center. To succeed in this role, you will need the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Microbiology, or a related scientific discipline, with 3+ years of prior relevant experience in a regulated industrial microbiology lab or sanitarian role – including food/dairy, cosmetic/OTC drug, pharmaceutical, medical device.
• Alternatively, a master’s degree in biology, Microbiology, or a related scientific discipline with at least 1-3 years relevant experience as specified above.
• Understanding of method transfers and equipment validations.
• Understanding of regulatory requirements, Good Lab Practices, environmental monitoring, and trending of data
• Excellent Microsoft-based computer skills to complete and update detailed specifications and reports, create pivot tables, Power BI, etc.
• Legal right to work in the United States.

Preferred Experience:

• 5+ years Microbiological Lab Experience in a regulated product (food, cosmetic, drug, device) manufacturing setting, with direct involvement in cleaning & sanitization practice development and validation, and validation of lab equipment and test methods.
• Demonstrated proficiency with data analysis software (e.g., Minitab, JMP), and/or industry-standard systems such as EtQ and SAP.
• Previous experience with LIMS software a plus.

Total Benefits

Here are just a few of the benefits you’d enjoy working in this role for Kimberly-Clark. For a complete overview, see www.mykcbenefits.com.

Great support for good health with medical, dental, and vision coverage options with no waiting periods or pre-existing condition restrictions. Access to an on-site fitness center, occupational health nurse, and allowances for high-quality safety equipment.

Flexible Savings and spending accounts to maximize health care options and stretch dollars when caring for yourself or dependents.

Diverse income protection insurance options to protect yourself and your family in case of illness, injury, or other unexpected events.

Additional programs and support to continue your education, adopt a child, relocate, or even find temporary childcare.

To Be Considered
Click the Apply button and complete the online application process. A member of our recruiting team will review your application and follow up if you seem like a great fit for this role.

In the meantime, please check out the careers website.

And finally, the fine print….

For Kimberly-Clark to grow and prosper, we must be an inclusive organization that applies the diverse experiences and passions of its team members to brands that make life better for people all around the world.  We actively seek to build a workforce that reflects the experiences of our consumers.  When you bring your original thinking to Kimberly-Clark, you fuel the continued success of our enterprise. We are a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, and DMV check.

Additional information about the compensation and benefits for this role are available upon request. You may contact 866-444-4516 – when prompted for employee ID, say “OTHER CALLER” - or kcchrprod@service-now.com for assistance. You must include the six-digit Job # with your request.

Veterans and members of the Reserve and Guard are highly encouraged to apply.

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