• Responsible for providing leadership, direction, and training to laboratory operations technicians and microbiologists/chemists
• Facilitates employee conformance to Good Laboratory Practices and all specified Operating Procedures
• Ensures all laboratory results, including internal controls, are accurate and completed within the required timeframe
• Oversees all Microbiological and Chemical analysis of samples to include training, documentation, and good laboratory practice
• Performs Microbiological and Chemical analysis of samples as necessary
• Responsible for interviewing, hiring, and training Sample Receiving, Courier and Ambassador laboratory technicians and microbiologists/chemists
• Conducts employee performance reviews and provides ongoing guidance and feedback for continued employee development
• Maintains adequate levels of laboratory supplies
• Reviews and approves laboratory raw data
• Provides feedback to direct reports, conducts employee performance reviews and provides ongoing guidance for continued employee development
• Schedules personnel to facilitate an efficient operation
• Communicates necessary changes or information to his or her department
• Identifies quality related problems and initiates immediate investigation, corrective action, and follow up
• Ensure the Quality Management System is maintained in accordance with the ISO 17025 standards
• Provides guidance and/or leadership to others, including indirect reports, peers, or managers
• Has hiring and terminating responsibilities
• Supervises others
• Number of employees directly reporting: 5-15
• Interprets and evaluates problems occurring which may not conform to clearly established practices and precedents
• Decisions on day-to-day operation have significant impact on the customer satisfaction and company liability with respect to testing results, timeliness of data and on-going relationships
• Ineffective actions with respect to health and safety and quality could have a negative and costly impact to the branch and business line
• ANALYTICAL THINKING/PROBLEM SOLVING
• Identify the root cause for non-conformances and customer cases and implement sound corrective actions
• Accountable for delivering reports as necessary
• Accountable for ensuring that an appropriate and planned training program with documentation is executed and measured for all personnel under direction
• Position requires independent thinking as to how to resolve problems using the procedures and standards available
• Makes procedure decisions by evaluating alternatives from established routines and standing instructions to achieve the job responsibilities

Fit for Duty Medical Surveillance Requirement – employee must complete a general physical and questionnaire related to physical efforts of job

• Knowledge of a variety of complex rules, procedures or work methods
• Employee can operate sophisticated machinery, tools, instruments and equipment
• 4-year degree in Microbiology/Chemistry, related field, or equivalent work experience Required
• 5+ year experience in a commercial food testing laboratory or equivalent environment Required
• Effective problem prevention and problem-solving skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills necessary to cross multiple disciplines Required
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills Required
• Knowledge of LIMS systems Required
• Flexibility is required to meet sudden and unpredictable need Required
• KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES
• Language Skills: English/Intermediate Required
• Mathematical Skills: Intermediate Required
• Reasoning Skills/Abilities: Intermediate level Required
• Computer Skills: Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 Suite, familiarity with databases and LIMS Required
• Demonstrated leadership and team building competencies, strong project management and complex problem-solving abilities Required
• Ability to manage and coordinate multiple projects in a fast-paced, highly professional environment
• Demonstrates good and safe work habits and enforces a clean working environment
• Knowledge of good laboratory practices, ex
• Health & Safety, working with acids and other harmful reagents
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations

The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required

Accountable for the Health, Safety and Environment performance of self and colleagues and adherence to all regulations as per the Company Health and Safety Manual and the immediate reporting of any health, safety or environmental incidents, accidents, concerns or hazards to the Manager / Supervisor and H&S representative for action Adheres to all safety management system (OIMS) and quality management system (QMS) training, policies and procedures, including manuals, test procedures, work instructions and the monitoring and/or verification of equipment and processes relating to testing activities