Microbiologist

No Relocation Assistance Offered

Job Number #174369 - Morristown, Tennessee, United States

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name. Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet.

Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let’s build a brighter, healthier future for all.

Our Microbiologist is a vital guardian of product integrity, safety, and brand trust. You will be responsible for executing rigorous testing within our Micro Control Program, ensuring every product leaving our facility conforms to the highest global Quality Standards. You will sit at the intersection of scientific precision and manufacturing agility, providing real‑time data, driving continuous improvement, and cross‑functionally partnering across the plant floor to uphold compliance and excellence.

• Perform precise microbiological testing of raw materials, work‑in‑process, water, air, equipment surfaces, and finished products following Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs) and the Micro Control Program.
• Manage product and raw material micro‑releases using the SAP system; approve raw material shipments and verify compliance on Certificates of Analysis (CoAs).
• Perform routine laboratory quality checks, controls, and media preparation. Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot standard laboratory equipment.
• Maintain, calculate, and utilize KPIs and Statistical Process Control (SPC) systems to identify trends, draw conclusions, and drive positive site‑wide change.
• Lead comprehensive Failure Investigations and meticulously document Out‑of‑Specification (OOS) results.
• Assist with Cleaning & Sanitization (C&S) validations for products/equipment and support the ongoing site‑wide Control Point Monitoring program.
• Train chemists, peer microbiologists, and temporary laboratory personnel in specialized micro‑related techniques using QMICs and SOPs.
• Deliver operator training on C&S, Micro Awareness, Swabbing, and Aseptic Sampling to technicians, building a plant‑wide culture of quality.

• Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or a closely related scientific field.
• 1 to 2 years of practical microbiology laboratory experience (gained via professional industry experience or rigorous academic laboratory coursework).
• Practical familiarity with general laboratory equipment (incubators, autoclaves, microscopes, water baths) and strict adherence to lab safety/chemical waste disposal.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible schedules, including weekends and shift work, to best support facility needs and manufacturing projects.

• Proven ability to make sound technical decisions and communicate them effectively in a fast‑paced, high‑stakes manufacturing environment.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to balance multiple testing streams simultaneously without compromising accuracy.
• A natural curiosity for continuous improvement—using data to proactively spot trends before they become non‑conformances.

Salary Range $64,000.00 - $87,500.00 USD

Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit‑sharing, and long‑term incentives for Executive‑level roles.

Benefits:
Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee’s hire date within the…