Microbiology Quality Control Analyst

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 Microbiology Quality Control Lab Analyst works as a member of Kimberly-Clark Mill Microbiological Laboratory team, applying technical skills to routine testing, evaluation of data, problem-solving of trends, compliance with applicable procedures and regulation, and support of continuous improvement efforts. To be successful, this person should be familiar with aseptic technique, Good Laboratory Practices, LIMS system, Microsoft Office Suite, and Current Good Manufacturing Practices for cosmetics. They should also have good written and verbal communication skills and be able to work well both independently and collaboratively as a team. This position takes work direction from the Microbiology Lab Leader. After training in the position, the role is expected to operate with limited direction for day-to-day tasks. 

Customers:

Manufacturing Operations; Microbiology Team; Quality Assurance; Suppliers; Purchasing; BCC (Baby and Child Care) Staff and Global Quality teams; Planning; Logistics/Distribution; Research; Engineering.

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.

Manage self in accordance with the One K-C (Kimberly-Clark Corporation) behaviors, company values and Maumelle Compass. Effectively achieve results that meet business and individual objectives.

Ensure activities and tasks follow both company quality assurance standards and applicable government regulations, such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) and ISO requirements.

Ensure that established manufacturing inspection, sampling and statistical process control procedures are followed as applicable.

Perform production and quality systems audits.

Maintain and demonstrate a high degree of knowledge and skill in a product form and 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.

Execute continuous improvement activities for established processes and initiates development of new processes.

Build and maintain personal capability in QMS (Quality Management System), GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices), and applicable regulation to support objectives.

CORE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Accountable for microbiological testing on finished product, raw material, personnel, and environmental testing, and conduct routine interpretation of results (per documented procedures) on environmental monitoring sampling program (production materials, raw materials, environmental samples such as air, productive surfaces and personnel testing, water) and specialized samples as required for troubleshooting or as part of an improvement project.
• Accountable to perform quality tasks in and outside of the lab including finished product, water, raw material, personnel, and environmental microbiological testing.
• Perform computer data entry, including LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System)
• Create jobs in LIMS and prepare materials in advance for testing.
• Create, review, and modify Quality work instructions and forms.
• Conduct Growth Promotion and sterility testing, as needed.
• Keep testing supplies, quality lab, storage, and work areas organized, clean, and sanitized (where applicable) to avoid cross-contamination.
• Support the review of inventory and ensure the lab has appropriate supply stock levels for daily routine testing.
• Support ordering culture media and routine lab supplies as needed to ensure culture media is approved before its use.
• Receive and document receipt of quality supplies as well as retrieve, review, and record applicable Certificate of Analysis and/or Certificate of Conformance (COAs, COCs).
• Provide quality training on work instructions, job aids, and standard test methods.
• Provide training, coaching, and demonstrations based on documented micro-test methods to lab tech colleagues and junior lab tech colleagues while exhibiting exceptional aseptic techniques.  
• Supports certifying Lab Technician / Lead Lab Technician colleagues against quality requirements, documented test methods, and standard test methods.
• Supports Micro Lab test methods transfer, validations, and equipment qualifications, as needed.
• Perform verifications on calibrated equipment as needed.
• Create work orders for maintenance activities and continuous improvement activities for the Quality department.
• Review and provide input on modify Quality work instructions and forms.
• Review logbooks according to the GDP’s and follow-up with colleagues when needed to improve the GDP’s.
• Review QMS records using good documentation practices.
• Record data and communicate out of specification results and nonconformance's to the Microbiologist (s) and Quality Leaders as needed.
• Support outside of specification investigations and non-conformance investigations, as needed.
• Responsible for the lot file review and to support in the release of finished product.
• Accountable for GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) and Good Documentation Practice.
• Effectively gives & receives constructive feedback.
• Effectively communicates status of in-progress activities and priorities to the team
• Support maintaining ISO accreditations, internal, and external audits as necessary.
• Perform auditing the manufacturing areas, laboratory areas, and interact with auditing teams to communicate and document findings per specifications and sanitary guidelines.
• Verify quality system integrity through compliance with specifications, documentation accuracy, online test accuracy, verification of in-process checks, final lot acceptance, and final finished goods lot release requirements.
• Function as the back-up Lead Laboratory Technician and Lab Technician as needed.
• Flow to work to support quality team and departmental needs.
• Supports other duties as business needs dictate.

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 at least 1 year of industrial microbiology lab or sanitarian experience –including food/dairy, cosmetic/OTC drug, pharmaceutical, medical device. 
• Understanding of Good Lab Practices, good manufacturing practices, environmental monitoring, and microbiology testing.
• Excellent Microsoft-based computer skills to complete and update detailed specifications and reports, create pivot tables, etc. 
• Microbiology / Biology
• Microscope / Microscopy
• Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)
• Environmental Microbiological Monitoring
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience using LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) or similar Micro-Lab software systems.
• Excellent Microsoft-based computer skills in Microsoft Office to complete and update detailed reports, create pivot tables, etc.
• Ability to effectively influence others, possessing strong interpersonal skills, able to adjust communication style to different audiences.
• Understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Strong Analytical skills.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving skills to determine the root cause.
• Demonstrate initiative and self-motivation.
• Demonstrate managing time and tasks efficiently while maintaining an excellent quality of work.
• Demonstrated performance in safety, quality, and attendance with previous employments.
• Legal right to work in the United States.

REEQUIRED JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Role model all Safety Requirements including Electrical Safe Working Practices, Hazard Recognition, and Personal Protective Equipment.
• Adhere to all Quality Requirements including strict Gowning and Hygiene requirements.
• Must be able to wear the required personal protective equipment 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.

REQUIRED TIME: Required to work every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday with flexing to support business needs on Sunday, as needed.  Core hours 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM. 

Required work during Holidays and will be required to be flexible to support a 7 day operation, as needed.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• 2+ years Microbiological Lab Experience in regulated product (food, cosmetic, drug, device) industrial manufacturing or ISO-17025 accredited laboratory setting, with direct involvement on bioburden testing and interpretation of results. Demonstrated proven leadership skills in laboratory setting.
• Demonstrated proficiency with data analysis software, and/or industry-standard systems such as EtQ and SAP (Systems Applications and Products (for data processing). LIMS, Minitab, or JMP are both statistical software.

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.