Hiring: Assistant Manager R&D; Microbiologist (Food & FMCG)

We are a leading Food & Consumer Goods Business looking for an experienced Microbiologist - Assistant Manager (R&D;) to lead our R&D; microbiology laboratory, ensure product safety, and support exciting new product development and shelf-life initiatives.

Location: Chennai - Work from office

Experience: Minimum 5+ years in Food Microbiology (preferably R&D; / FMCG / Food Ingredients / Nutraceuticals)

Qualification: M. Sc. in Microbiology, Food Microbiology, or Industrial Microbiology

Key Responsibilities:

- Lab Leadership: Independently manage R&D; lab operations, equipment calibration, media, reference cultures, and inventory.
- Method Validation & Challenge Studies: Develop, optimize, and validate microbiological methods for recent food formats; execute preservative efficacy and challenge testing.
- Testing & Scale-Up Support: Conduct testing on raw materials,



process intermediates, finished products, packaging, and water to support pilot scale-ups and factory trials.
- Failure Analysis & RCA: Investigate microbial deviations, contamination events, and out-of-spec (OOS) results; implement effective RCA & CAPA.
- Regulatory & Quality Compliance: Ensure complete compliance with FSSAI, BIS, ISO standards, GLP, and biohazard safety protocols.

Key Technical Requirements:

- Strong expertise in food spoilage/pathogens, method validation, shelf-life assessment, and environmental monitoring.
- Hands-on experience in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) & CAPA for microbial failures.
- Exposure to rapid microbiological methods, LIMS, or lab automation is an added advantage.

📌 Microbiologist - Assistant Manager (India)
🏢 Saaki Argus And Averil Consulting
📍 India