Our highly regarded Multinational Client based in the Midwest has an exciting opportunity for a Microbiology Lead. This is a permanent role and offers an attractive salary, benefits package and flexi time.
The Microbiology Lead will be required to:
- Manage the day to day operation and the continuous improvement of the Microbiology Laboratory
- Final approval of finished product microbiology report for product release purposes
- Lead a unionized, experienced and knowledgeable group of Laboratory Technicians
- Support any microbiological related issues in the shop floor production operations in collaboration with production operators, supervisors, maintenance and engineering team.
- Monitor the microbiological performance in the production operations
- Provide microbiological expertise for engineering projects, continuous improvement initiatives.
The overall management of the Microbiology laboratory consist to ensure that targets are achieved in respect of quality, service level and budget. Specific responsibility is the provision of technical support to the Microbiology Team & ensuring that compliance standards are implemented & sustained. A key area of responsibility is to support Microbiological aspects of operations including Pathogen monitoring, In Process microbiological testing and investigations. Active monitoring and trending of leading microbiological indicators is required to identify potential trends in the production environment.
Specifically, the Microbiology Lead will:
- Communicate on objectives, targets and policy issues.
- Monitoring and reporting of the plant and laboratory key Key Performance Indicators
- Provide technical support & backup to the Microbiology Team as required
- Provide direction and guidance in resolution of technical issues. Assist in problem solving.
- Ensure appropriate discipline is maintained on the site.
- Responsible for review of corporate, regulatory & other methodology, assess suitability for use & implement as required
- Development & Validation of methodology & method transfer protocols
- Review & approval of Standard Operating Procedures
- Capacity planning and test scheduling for laboratory
- Management of laboratory budget
- Identification and implementation of continuous improvement in the microbiology lab
- Implementation and maintenance of 5S in the laboratory. The five in a 5S workplace organizational and housekeeping methodology refers to five steps – sort, set in order, shine, standardize and sustain.
- Maintenance & development of ISO 17.025 standard within the laboratory
- Development of training programmes, schedules & delivery of training within the laboratory
- Responsible for closure requirements of LIR’s, audit reports etc within the laboratory
- Assess competence of employees and give appropriate feedback and assistance
- Provide trend data to support improvements in microbiological results for environmental, in process & finished product
- Active participation & technical support to operations with respect to microbiological issues & investigations
- Participation in Continuous improvement projects within operations
- Participation in the investigation of customer complaints
- Participation in audit programme as required
- Ensuring that results generated are generated in compliance with GLP practices
- Ensure that microbiology team operates and maintains laboratory equipment correctly to ensure accuracy & precision on all results.
The Microbiology Lead must
- Be Team player. Must be able to work with people.
- Be resilient and be able to work in complex and challenging working environments
- Be able to manage the three dimensions at the same time 1) personnel, 2) equipment and 3) microbiology expertise in a professional manner
- Use Consistency, Diplomacy and Tact in managing people in a complex unionized environment
- Understand that performance is not major in hours of work but in achievement of objectives
- Be Flexible in terms of time schedule based on business requirements
Qualifications
- Hold at minimum a Primary Degree in Microbiology
- M.Sc. or PhD qualifications in Microbiology or equivalent will be advantageous
- A minimum of five years relevant experience in a microbiological role in the Food, Healthcare or Related Industry is required
- Previous supervisory experience essential
