department manager - Full-time / Part-time

Microbac is a premier laboratory testing firm that partners with clients worldwide, offering laboratory testing solutions to the life science, food and environmental industries.
We are currently seeking a Microbiology Manager for a food testing laboratory located in Cortland, NY. The laboratory provides testing services for a large group of clients with a range of microbial food and foodborne pathogen testing needs. The nature of the position requires a strong technical background in microbial food testing. Our ideal candidate will be familiar with the general operations of a commercial laboratory and possess the ability to develop and lead a small team of laboratory technicians and analysts who work under strict deadlines and high quality standards. The Microbiology Manager will also work collaboratively with our Project Managers and, at times, directly with our clients, serving as a technical resource to help guide business decisions, explain technical requirements, communicate testing capabilities and review reports. This is a working management role, in that our managers roll their sleeves up and assist team members with all stages of the sample preparation and testing process. Position offers competitive pay and a full suite of company benefits. Relocation assistance is also available.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Reporting to the laboratorya??s Managing Director, the Department Manager oversees the daily operations of the department, which include managing workflow, and developing and maintaining a cohesive and motivated staff team, ensuring the department is ran effectively, and is meeting or exceeding quality standards and turnaround times.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintains staff by selecting, orienting, training, and motivating employees; Maintains a safe, secure, and legally compliant work environment; Develops personal and team growth opportunities.
• Accomplishes staff results by communicating job expectations; Plans, monitors, appraises job results, and gives continual feedback; Coaches, counsels, and disciplines employees; Develops, enforces systems, policies, procedures, and productivity standards.
• Establishes strategic goals by gathering pertinent business, financial, service, and operations information; Identifies and evaluates trends and options; Chooses a course of action; Defines objectives; Evaluates outcomes.
• Maintains quality service by enforcing quality and customer service standards; Analyzes and resolves quality and customer service problems; Recommends and implements improvements.
• Monitors sample backlog and turnaround times and makes necessary adjustments to ensure testing projects are completed on schedule.
• Acts as a technical resource to junior staff.
• Use of positive management techniques in the supervision and management of staff; Promotes Company safety, ethics, and quality standards and values.
• Evaluates technologies, manpower and competencies of staff and facilitates change where necessary to ensure the department is operating efficiently.
• Works at the bench, preparing and analyzing samples as necessary.
• Interprets data and produces reports.
• Interfaces with clients and customers to provide customer support and technical consultation as needed.
• Ensures facility, instrumentation and equipment are well maintained and are in good working order.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Job Requirements:

• Advanced technical knowledge of food microbiology methods and technologies.
• Demonstrated leadership ability.
• The ability to relay technical data to non-technical people and respond to sensitive or highly technical inquiries.
• Ability to conduct analysis and read, interpret, and report technical data.

Required Education and Experience:

• Degree in Microbiology, Biology or a related field of study.
• Minimum of 5 years of commercial laboratory experience.
• Prior supervisory experience preferred.

Microbac is an EO employer a?? M/F/Race/Veteran/Disability.