Microbiology Manager

Job Description
Certified Laboratories is searching for an accomplished and goal driven Microbiology Manager to oversee the microbiology department including staff, process workflows, quality, safety, and client communication to ensure the reliability, timeliness, and accuracy of all results.

If you share our values - Ethical, Adaptable, Reliable, Accurate, Collaborative, Client Focused, Dedicated, Skilled, Innovative - and wish to develop in a dynamic environment focused on the future, then join us!

Essential Functions:

• Provide operational, technical, and administrative leadership to the Microbiology Department through management, planning and allocation of resources.
• Effectively manage the Microbiology staff relating to performance management. Coach and mentor staff to facilitate their personal and professional growth. Ensures effective training programs are in place.
• Consistently produce accurate results focusing on both test results and time consideration/expectations. Ensures all results consistently stand up to internal and external quality standards and criteria.
• Ensures execution of the QA/QC programs and all accreditation requirements.
• Conduct internal assessments/audits and provide action plans to close any gaps.
• Maintains processes to ensure testing turnaround times are met and on time delivery of COA's to clients.
• Oversees the FDA Import testing and packet creation, ensuring quality and timeliness.
• Ensure all equipment is properly maintained; all preventive maintenance plans are followed.
• Manage CAR system for the department. Ensure CAR's are thoroughly investigated, documented, and closed on time.
• Maintain a wide-ranging familiarity with new developments in technology.
• Acts in the capacity of a consultant to clients providing guidance, result interpretation and methodology/platform testing advice as needed.
• Effectively interact with clients to understand client issues and manage client expectations relating to the testing process, format of results and time frames for completion. Ensure all tests are performed as per the clients' expectations and interact with them to provide test results and recommendations.
• Effectively communicates with clients on samples provided, including, communicating with governmental agencies such as the FDA and USDA to explain test results on behalf of the client.
• Review and validate results and final reports prior to issuance to clients.
• Coordinate all relevant QC records pertaining to the calibration, validation and maintenance of equipment, and the continuous training of employees and maintain all quality management records for the Microbiology department.
• Collaborate with other departments and with the Management team to maintain and improve Certified Laboratories Management systems.
• Work effectively, in conjunction with the Management team to meet business and position expectations.
• Ensures all chemical hygiene plans and safety requirements are met.
• Other duties as required.

Requirements:

• Minimum-BS degree in Microbiology, Cell and Molecular Biology or Food Science. Master's degree preferred.
• Seven to ten years technical lab experience and five to seven years managerial experience.
• Knowledge of USDA MLG, FDA BAM, AOAC, USP, CMMEF procedures and ISO 17025/AOAC Food Guideline requirements.
• Experience working with foodborne pathogens; enrichments, detection, isolation, and confirmation techniques including serotyping and biochemical identification.
• Effective interpersonal skills with strong communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
• Experience in broad food testing and multiple matrices.
• Basis statistical knowledge and prior experience managing SQC programs.
• Experience working in a high sample volume/production environment.
• Strong quantitative skills, proven attention to detail with effective organizational skills.
• Proven ability to develop, adapt, and validate testing methods.
• Proven expertise in relevant technologies.
• Proven problem solving, trouble shooting and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent computer skills required - Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint; knowledge of Labware LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) desirable.

We value our employees as they are the key to our success. Our commitment to your success is enhanced by a competitive salary with an extensive benefits package. We work to maintain a progressive and collaborative work environment where we empower people and provide them with opportunities to develop their long-term career.

Certified Laboratories is one of the largest and independent laboratories in the nation and is located in California, Illinois, New York, Virginia, and Texas. Each of our laboratories has its own area of expertise and is acknowledged as a leader in the field of food, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals safety and analysis.

Certified Laboratories values diversity in its workforce. The company is firmly committed to a policy of Equal Opportunity and will administer its policies in a manner that treats each employee and applicant for employment on the basis of merit. Certified Laboratories will take affirmative action to seek out qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or veteran status.

Company DescriptionCertified Group is one of the largest independent laboratories, comprised of four nationally recognized laboratories. Located in New York, Illinois, Texas, Southern and Northern California, each of these laboratories has developed its own area of expertise and is an acknowledged leader in the field of food safety and analysis.