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JOB
SUMMARY
The
primary function of this position is to supervise laboratory operations and
have direct contact with the laboratory client base. This position is
authorized to be responsible for all laboratory operations related to the
generation and communication of microbiological and chemical testing
results. The Laboratory Manager works closely with the Director of
Laboratory Operations and the Director of Laboratory Technical Services and
has the authority to delegate responsibility for laboratory operations to
the Assistant Laboratory Manager when absent from the laboratory.
ESSENTIAL
RESPONSIBILITIES
· Supervise laboratory operations
to maintain quality and efficiency
· Oversee training of new and
current laboratory personnel in laboratory procedures and protocols
· Provide guidance in the
distribution of workload
· Ensure that
aseptic/microbiological and sound chemical techniques are applied to the
daily workload
· Maintenance of all laboratory
personnel training, reviews, and goal setting/personal growth
· Placement of laboratory
personnel in appropriate laboratory areas to ensure efficiency and staff
success
· Information liaison for Human
Resources with regard to staff changes and adjustments, including staff
vacation and leave
· Review and approve laboratory
expenditures, including outside lab testing, shipping, and supply orders
· Ensure that all required
equipment is in place and properly functioning
· Ensure that all quality control
procedures and documentation are in compliance and up to date with ISO
17025 guidelines
· Ensure that all technical
procedures are up to date and properly followed in collaboration with the
Director of Laboratory Technical Services, the Technical Supervisor, and
the Assistant Laboratory Manager
· Overall organization,
housekeeping, maintenance, and space utilization of the laboratory
· Oversee laboratory departmental
staff meetings
· Supervise non-routine projects
per client request and as assigned
· Oversee status and writing of
final report summaries for shelf-life evaluations and food borne illness
reports
· Review and approval of final
technical reports going out to clients to include spreadsheets, special
projects, and contract research
· Review and oversee data entries
· Independently pursue and have a
working knowledge of processes, procedures, or techniques in accordance
with the Food Safety Net Services Methods Manual, Quality Manual, Chemical
Hygiene Plan, Safety Manual, and approved laboratory procedures
· Maintain a high degree of
technical competence by reading scientific journals, attending professional
workshops, and being aware of food industry issues and trends
· Provide guidance to the
Assistant Laboratory Manager and Laboratory Supervisors to ensure that all
laboratory processes are managed with the highest quality and efficiency
· Authority to approve payroll
hours, to write performance reviews, and to provide feedback to HR on
staffing needs
· Adjust workflow as required
· Authorize training for
laboratory personnel
· Periodically review and visually
audit laboratory staff to ensure compliance with methods
· Authority to approve laboratory
supply orders and invoices related to supplies, shipping, and contract
services
· Authorized to order repair
services for malfunctioning equipment as well as request new equipment with
the proper price quotations
· Authorize retests of client
samples based on quality control concerns
· Communicate directly with
clients on laboratory capability, results, pricing, and related topics
· Travel is required and at the
discretion of management
OTHER
DUTIES
· Perform other duties as assigned
SUPERVISORY
RESPONSIBILITIES
Directly supervises
employees. Carries out all responsibilities in accordance with the
organization's policies, standard operating procedures and best practices.
Ensures compliance with all applicable laws and regulations at all times.
Responsibilities includes interviewing, hiring, training and mentoring
employees; evaluate performance of assigned personnel, monitor performance
action plans for employees, improve operational efficiencies by focusing on
customer service and maximizing production and profit; will direct work
flow; maintain harmony in the workplace and professional business demeanor
at all times.
MINIMUM
QUALIFICATIONS
· BS degree in Microbiology, Chemistry, Food
Technology, or related field
· Post Graduate degree or graduate level courses in
Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Technology, or related field preferred
· Experience in a microbiological and/or chemical
testing environment
· Five years experience in
a commercial food-testing laboratory
· Or equivalent combination of
education and experience
KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS, and ABILITIES
To perform the job
successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following:
· Analytical
- Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data;
Designs work flows and procedures.
· Design
- Generates creative solutions; Uses feedback to modify designs;
Demonstrates attention to detail
· Problem
Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely
manner; Develops alternative solutions; Uses reason even when dealing with
emotional topics
· Project
Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects;
Manages project team activities
· Technical
Skills - Strives to continuously build knowledge and
skills; Shares expertise with others
· Customer
Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer
situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Meets commitments
· Interpersonal
Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming;
Maintains confidentiality; Keeps emotions under control
· Oral
Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive
or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Demonstrates group
presentation skills; Participates in meetings
· Written
Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Varies
writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to
read and interpret written information
· Teamwork
- Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and
openness to others' views; Puts success of team above own interests; Able
to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports
everyone's efforts to succeed
· Visionary
Leadership - Inspires respect and trust; Provides vision
and inspiration to peers and subordinates
· Change
Management - Communicates changes effectively; Builds
commitment and overcomes resistance
· Delegation
- Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person;
Gives authority to work independently
· Leadership
- Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and
motivates others to perform well; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
· Managing
People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making,
facilitating, and process improvement; Makes self
available to staff; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal
and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes,
products, and services; Continually works to improve supervisory skills
· Quality
Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality
· Business
Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions;
Displays orientation to profitability; Aligns work with strategic goals
· Cost
Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Contributes
to profits and revenue ; Conserves organizational resources
· Diversity
- Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Educates others on the value of
diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment
· Ethics
- Treats people with respect; Inspires the trust of others;
Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values
· Organizational
Support - Follows policies and procedures; Supports
organization's goals and values
· Strategic
Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational
goals
· Judgment
- Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Makes timely decisions
· Motivation
- Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates
persistence and overcomes obstacles
· Planning/Organizing
- Uses time efficiently; Organizes or schedules other people and their
tasks; Develops realistic action plans
· Professionalism
- Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure;
Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments
· Quality
- Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own
work to ensure quality
· Quantity
- Strives to increase productivity
· Safety
and Security - Observes safety and security procedures;
Reports potentially unsafe conditions
· Adaptability
- Manages competing demands; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or
unexpected events
· Attendance/Punctuality
- Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent.
· Dependability
- Follows instructions, responds to management direction;
Takes responsibility for own actions; Commits to long hours of work when
necessary to reach goals
· Initiative
- Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent
actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of
opportunities
· Innovation
- Displays original thinking and creativity; Generates
suggestions for improving work
Language
Skills
· Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general
business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or
governmental regulations
· Ability to write reports, business correspondence,
and procedure manuals
· Ability to effectively present information and
respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the
general public
Mathematical
Skills
· Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as
probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid
geometry and trigonometry
· Ability to apply concepts such as fractions,
percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations
Reasoning
Ability
· Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a
variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited
standardization exists
· Ability to interpret a variety of instructions
furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
Computer Skills
· To perform this job successfully, an individual
should have knowledge of LIMS and Microsoft Office Products software
PHYSICAL
DEMANDS
The physical demands
described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee
to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to
perform the essential functions.
· Regularly required to stand, sit, walk, use hands
and arms, talk and hear
· Occasionally lift up to 25 pounds
· Color vision and depth perception
WORK
ENVIRONMENT
The work environment
characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to
perform the essential functions.
· 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
SAFETY:
· Required to wear appropriate protective clothing
· Required to use appropriate protective equipment
· Responsible for the safety of oneself and others
working within their area
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