Certified Group is a leading North American provider of laboratory testing and audit and certification services. The Certified Group of companies includes Food Safety Net Services (FSNS), Certified Laboratories, EAS Consulting Group, Labstat International Inc. The Certified Group provides analytical testing and regulatory guidance services in the food & beverage, dietary supplements & NHP, cosmetics, OTC, personal care, tobacco, cannabis, nicotine, and hemp industries.

We are currently looking for a Microbiology Manager to join our growing team in Burbank, CA.

JOB SUMMARY

The Microbiology Manager manages a departmental staff that conducts testing on cosmetics and ensures the reliability, timeliness, and accuracy of the results.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides 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.
• Consistently produce accurate results focusing on both test results and time consideration/expectations. Ensure all results consistently stand up to internal and external audit standards and criteria.
• Develop ongoing business analysis resulting in recommending, implementing, and maintaining practices and processes to continuously increase accuracy, productivity, and efficiency.
• Develop, measure, and maintain processes to increase accuracy of testing and turnaround time. Ensure appropriate equipment and technical resources are provided and maintained for the work done in the department.
• Maintain a wide-ranging familiarity with new developments in technology.
• Act in the capacity of a consultant to clients utilizing resourcefulness, making scientific suggestions and overall, enhancing the comfort level in the client's decision to do business with Certified Laboratories.
• 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 interacts with them to provide test results and recommendations.
• Effectively communicate 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.
• Ensures execution of the QA/QC programs and ISO requirements about all operations and documentation requirements.
• 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.
• Other duties as required.

SUPERVISION

• Supervision and oversight of 5 - 15 incumbents dependent on Lab volume

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BS degree in Microbiology or related degree.
• Seven (7) to ten (10) years technical lab experience and five (5) to seven (7) years managerial experience.
• Knowledge of MLG, BAM, AOAC, USP, ELAP, CMMEF procedures and ISO 17025.
• Effective interpersonal skills with strong communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
• Experience in broad cosmetics, OTC, supplements testing.
• Experience in creating shelf-life programs and developing control/monitoring programs 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 technology.
• 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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and to handle other communications/computer components.
• Potential exposure to odors, fumes, airborne particles, hazardous chemicals, and microbiological pathogens
• Noise level varies from quiet to loud.
• Temperature varies from hot to cold.
• Interactive and fast-paced team-oriented tasks
• Overnight Travel is required at the discretion of management.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Color vision and depth perception

BENEFITS:

• Progressive 401k Retirement Savings Plan
• Employer Paid Short- Term and Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance
• Group Medical
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Dental
• Paid Holidays and Time Off

Certified Group 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 Group will take affirmative action to seek out qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or veteran status.