Reports directly to: Microbiology Laboratory Supervisor
Position profile:
The Microbiology Team Leader responsibility is to provide microbiology testing services
and to maintain and troubleshoot instruments, and implement new methods of analysis.
OVERALL OBJECTIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Laboratory Operations and Supervision:
- Oversee daily operations of the microbiology laboratory, ensuring testing services are
completed efficiently and within turnaround time requirements.
- Supervise, mentor, and support microbiology staff, providing regular performance
feedback, coaching, and guidance.
- Ensure balanced workload distribution across the team and assist in managing priorities,
especially for urgent or high-priority samples.
- Maintain a clean, well-organized, and compliant laboratory environment.
- Monitor laboratory workflow and provide advance notice to management of any potential
delays, equipment issues, or staffing concerns.
- Collaborate effectively with other departments, including sample registration, QA, and
client services, to support smooth lab operations.
- Maintain and review staff training records; coordinate training programs for new and
current team members on microbiological techniques, safety practices, and equipment use.
Microbiological Testing and Analysis:
- Perform and oversee intermediate to advanced microbiological analyses, including routine
and non-routine testing of raw materials, finished products, and environmental samples.
- Conduct and review microbial enumeration, microbial identification, sterility testing, and
other test types in accordance with SOPs and regulatory guidelines.
- Oversee method development, method verification, and validation projects related to
microbiological testing.
- Ensure testing accuracy and data integrity by reviewing raw data, batch records, and
laboratory documentation.
- Provide troubleshooting support and technical guidance to analysts to resolve testing
challenges and ensure consistent, high-quality results.
- Support research and development activities and special projects, including validation
protocols or custom client requests.
Quality Assurance and Compliance:
- Ensure all microbiological testing activities comply with ISO 17025, GMP, and other
applicable standards and regulations.
- Monitor quality control trends (c.g. positive/negative controls, environmental
monitoring, etc.) and take corrective action where necessary.
- Identify, document, and escalate any non-conformances or deviations in test execution
or results.
- Support internal and external audits by providing accurate and complete
documentation.
- Contribute to the development, review, and revision of microbiology-related SOPs, work
instructions, and QA systems.
- Promote good documentation practices and compliance with PPB Analytical
Laboratories" quality management system.
Instrument and Equipment Management:
- Oversee the use, maintenance, and calibration of microbiological laboratory
instruments and equipment (c.g., incubators, biosafety cabinets, autoclaves, pipettes).
- Coordinate equipment service calls and maintain accurate service and calibration
records
- Ensure adequate inventory of microbiology-specific supplies, reagents, media, and
consumables; coordinate with purchasing as needed.
- Support the qualification of new equipment and ensure readiness for use in testing
workflows
Health, Safety, and Environmental Compliance
- Promote and enforce PPB Analytical Laboratories' Health & Safety policies within the
microbiology laboratory.
- Ensure safe handling, storage, and disposal of microbial cultures, media, and biological
waste according to regulatory and internal procedures.
- Lead and participate in lab safety meetings, risk assessments, and incident reviews
Identify and implement improvements in microbiological safety practices and
workflows.
Reporting and Documentation
- Prepare and provide regular reports on team performance, sample throughput, quality
issues, and resource needs to laboratory management.
- Review and approve test results and reports before final release to ensure accuracy,
completeness, and regulatory compliance.
- Ensure complete, organized, and traceable documentation of all testing activities,
validations. and quality records.
EDUCATION, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
- Bachelor's Degree or Technical Diploma in a Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biology, or
related field
- Understanding of microbiology testing methods and laboratory operations
- Experience supervising or leading laboratory staff preferred
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Must speak and write English and have good communication skills
- High level of accuracy and strong attention to detail
- Ability to adapt to different situations and learn quickly
- Ability to work independently, while supporting a collaborative, team-based
department
- Ability to multitask and remain calm under pressure
- Must be proactive, self-disciplined, and able to demonstrate a high level of productivity
with a goal-oriented approach
- Must have an energetic, positive, customer-focused attitude
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Good computer skills - proficiency with MS Office
Working knowledge of Laboratory Information management Systems (LIMS)
- Operating and troubleshooting instrumentations and solving cases of questionable
results
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $36.00-$42.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company events
- Dental care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Flexible language requirement:
Ability to commute/relocate:
- North York, ON M2H 2N8: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person
