Microbiologist Full-time

Occupation: Microbiologists | Location: Hodges, SC - 29653 | Job Type: Regular, Full Time (30 Hours or More), Permanent Employment | Shift Posted: 06/17/2026 | Positions available: 1 | Travel Required: up to 10% of time

Join our Quality team in Greenwood, SC, and play a critical role in ensuring product safety and excellence! As the Microbiologist, you will be responsible for product and raw materials testing, troubleshooting, and the full implementation of the facility's Micro Control Plan. You'll drive continuous improvement initiatives and leverage your expertise to maintain our high quality and compliance standards in a 24/7 manufacturing environment. This is your opportunity to own laboratory quality control systems and influence key operational decisions.

Perform comprehensive microbiological testing of raw materials, water, work-in-process, and finished product for approval and release.

Own the maintenance of the Laboratory Quality Control Systems and ensure cGMP compliance, including performing failure investigations and properly documenting Out of Specification (OOS) results.

Lead the development and implementation of the plant-wide Microbiological Control Program.

Support nonconformance resolution, identify corrective and preventative actions (CAPA), and provide related Microbiology Cleaning & Sanitization training to plant employees and assist with product, equipment, and C&S validations.

Maintain and utilize Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to drive continuous improvement, identify trends, and draw conclusions.

S. in Microbiology or a related Science.

2+ years of experience as a Microbiologist in a manufacturing laboratory work environment.

Experience with basic lab equipment (e.g., pH meters, balances, Celsis Luminometer) and common microbiology lab instrumentation (e.g., Demonstrated experience with general documentation practices and cGMP compliance, including notebooks and data entry forms with specific attention to detail.

Familiarity with quality systems such as failure investigations, Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA), calibration, and change control.

Ability and flexibility to work a rotating schedule to support a 24/7 plant facility operation.

Working knowledge and practical experience with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and techniques such as Gram staining, microscopy, isolation plating, media preparation, and microorganism identification methods.

Experience in an FDA-regulated environment or an industrial environment implementing cGMPs.

Experience with SAP & LIMS.

Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit‑sharing, and long‑term incentives for Executive‑level roles.

Benefits: comprehensive 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 calendar year). Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws.

Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. 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.

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