Microbiology Manager in Bedford

Manpower is currently looking for a Microbiology Manager to work with our global FMCG client, renowned for brands such as Magnum, Carte d'Or, Cornetto, and Walls. The position is based at our client's Research & Development facility, at Colworth Science Park, in Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire (MK44), accessible by car. This is a full-time temporary role, Maternity Cover for 12 months requiring 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Compensation for this role is competitive, paying up to £52,000 per annum, pro rata, depending upon experience. The role currently offers a mix of remote and onsite working, subject to adjustment based on business requirements.

ABOUT THE COMPANY: Life Tastes Better with Ice Cream. The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) is the largest global Ice Cream Company in the world, with over 100 years of experience delivering a diverse range of indulgent, yet responsible, craft food experiences and treats delighting consumers. Committed to innovation, quality, and sustainability, we have 35 brands, including 3 one billion Euro brands (Magnum, Wall's, Ben & Jerry's), loved in 76 countries, generating annual revenue of over $8 billion. With 19,000 experts in ice cream globally, all brands are driven to transform moments into memories through indulgent yet responsibly made and marketed products.

OUR TEAM: Ensuring that The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) products are safe to consume is of paramount importance for the business. The Global Scientific Affairs function, which is part of RD&I, brings together Food Safety, Regulatory Affairs and Nutrition expertise to ensure that TMICC products are safe by design and compliant with relevant regulations & nutrition requirements. The Scientific Affairs function is also key to unlocking innovations to enable business growth. One of such functions is the Global RD&I Microbiology team. Global RD&I Microbiology is an agile team of enthusiastic world-class scientists who deliver business relevant microbiological solutions underpinning brand innovation programmes, based on scientific and technological capabilities across RD&I and Supply Chain (SC).

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Act as microbiology first point of contact in the provision of microbiological expertise for R&D product developers, quality and supply chain support.
• Ensure end to end quality in microbiology science based support, including (statistical) data analysis and visualization, interpretation & presentation, and reporting to relevant stakeholders.
• Lead microbiological risk assessments to establish the basis for microbiological safety & stability of new product and process designs.
• Identify and adapt new methodologies/process/procedures enabling continuous future fit microbiological data science.
• Stay up to date on novel insights and solutions in the area of food preservation systems (e.g. hurdle technology, natural antimicrobials, etc.).
• Line management and mentoring of microbiology team members.
• Provide technical expertise in the design of microbiological experiments for innovation support and ensure robustness of the data.
• Lead technical input for relevant good manufacturing documents and training materials to ensure maintenance of product & process design knowledge.

ALL ABOUT YOU:

• Ideally MSc or higher in relevant subject (e.g. Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Science & Technology - with focus on microbiology).
• Proven experience (>3 years) in applied/industry microbiology roles in the food sector, including leading projects and managing teams.
• Good influencing and communication skills (fluent English written and verbal); ability to convince and defend own agenda in front of internal and external stakeholders (e.g. R&D, Supply Chain, Quality, 3rd parties, co packers).
• Ability to use technical judgment to lead team activities and program direction.
• Team player with flexible "we can" attitude, yet, ability to work agile and independently.

Colworth Science Park working environment: 9 miles from Bedford, 18 miles from M1, modern working environment in a beautiful, listed building, large green outdoor spaces. Shuttle bus is provided from Bedfordshire area to Site.