Sr. Microbiologist

A.  MICROBIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

1.  Laboratory Management & Compliance

1.1  Oversee daily operations, including staff management, scheduling, and resource allocation. Manage the day-to-day activities of the lab, ensuring efficient workflow. This includes supervising staff, creating schedules, and allocating resources like equipment and materials to meet operational needs and deadlines.

1.2  Ensure all laboratory activities comply with ISO 17025:2017 and relevant regulations. Maintain strict adherence to quality standards and regulatory requirements. This involves implementing and monitoring procedures to guarantee that all tests, calibrations, and lab practices meet the rigorous specifications of the ISO 17025:2017 standard.

1.3  Develop and implement laboratory policies, procedures, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to maintain operational efficiency. Create and enforce clear guidelines for all lab processes. These policies and SOPs standardize workflows, improve consistency, and ensure that all tasks are performed accurately and efficiently.

1.4  Collaborate with the Business Development (BD) team to identify and upscale low-utilized areas within the scope of laboratory accreditation, ensuring optimal resource allocation and enhanced service offerings. Work with the BD team to find untapped opportunities within the lab's accredited testing capabilities. This collaboration helps to maximize the use of existing resources and expand the range of services offered to clients.

1.5  Evaluate and make strategic decisions regarding scope expansion and trimming; for scope expansion, plan and oversee Proficiency Testing (PT), Inter-Laboratory Comparisons (ILC), and Internal Quality Audits (IQA) to ensure compliance and readiness for new testing areas. Assess which services to add or remove based on market needs and business strategy. When expanding, meticulously plan and manage quality assurance activities like PT, ILC, and IQA to confirm the lab's technical competence and readiness for new accredited testing areas.

1.6  Provide technical expertise to the BD team by guiding the development of new microbiological test methods and confirming their feasibility to meet client needs, market demands, and accreditation standards. Offer technical advice to the BD team for creating new testing solutions. This involves ensuring that new microbiological methods are scientifically sound, practical to implement, and will satisfy client requirements while also meeting accreditation standards.

1.7  Estimate the costs associated with new method development, including resources, equipment, reagents, personnel, validation studies, etc., to support budgeting and decision-making. Calculate the financial investment required for new test methods. This includes a detailed cost analysis of all necessary resources, from equipment and chemicals to personnel and validation studies, to support informed budget planning and strategic decision-making.

1.8  Oversee website improvement, manage social media posts and update, and develop engaging content for WhatsApp pamphlets, brochures, "Do You Know" (DYK) series, blogs, and similar platforms to boost visibility and communication. Manage the lab's online presence and public outreach efforts. This includes improving the website, creating social media content, and developing informative materials to increase visibility, communicate with clients, and build a strong brand presence.

2.  Quality Assurance and Compliance

2.1  Ensure adherence to food safety regulations, such as those from the FSSAI, EIC & APEDA. Maintain strict compliance with national and international food safety standards.

2.2  Conduct internal audits, manage non-conformances, and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs). Perform regular internal checks to assess compliance with quality management systems. This process includes identifying any deviations or non-conformances, systematically managing them, and then implementing corrective and preventive actions to resolve the root causes and prevent recurrence.

2.3  Coordinate external audits and assessments by accreditation bodies and customers. Serve as the primary point of contact for all external quality and compliance audits. This involves scheduling, preparing for, and facilitating assessments by third-party accreditation bodies and client representatives to demonstrate the lab's competence and adherence to required standards.

3.  Personnel Management

3.1  Screening of resumes provided by human resource dept., shortlisting & selection of personnel through video conferencing or face to face interview. Manage the recruitment process by reviewing candidate resumes and shortlisting top talent. Conduct interviews, whether online or in person, to select the most suitable individuals for the team based on their qualifications and potential.

3.2  Recruit, train, and develop laboratory staff to ensure competency in their roles.

3.3  Verify the internal and external training plan of the employees prepared by deputy and plan the timely execution of trainings.

3.4  Conduct performance evaluations and provide feedback for probation confirmation of the employees. Assess the performance of new employees during their probationary period. Provide constructive feedback on their work and make informed decisions on whether to confirm their employment based on their performance and fit within the team.

3.5  Support continuous professional development of the personnels.

3.6  Foster a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement. Create a work environment where a commitment to safety and quality is a top priority for everyone. Promote a mindset of constant improvement by encouraging staff to identify better ways to perform tasks and solve problems.

3.7  Ensure staff are trained in ISO 17025:2017 requirements and laboratory safety protocols. Provide mandatory training for all staff on the key principles of the ISO 17025 standard to guarantee compliance and quality in all lab operations. Additionally, ensure everyone is fully trained on essential safety protocols to maintain a secure working environment.

4.  Technical Oversight

4.1  Provide technical leadership for microbiological testing methodologies for incoming laboratory samples.

4.2  Stay updated on advancements in technologies and regulatory requirements.

4.3  Plan and oversee method validation, method verification, measurement of uncertainty, proficiency testing, and metrological traceability. Systematically plan and manage all quality assurance activities to ensure the reliability of test results. This involves validating new methods, verifying existing ones, calculating measurement uncertainty, participating in proficiency testing, and establishing metrological traceability for all measurements.

4.4  Reviewing and verifying raw data, as well as authorization of Test-Reports. Meticulously examine and verify all raw data generated from laboratory tests to ensure its accuracy and integrity. After a thorough review, authorize and sign off on the final test reports, confirming their validity and readiness for release to clients.

5.  Stakeholder Communication

5.1  Liaise with clients, regulatory bodies, and accreditation bodies to meet expectations. Serve as the primary point of contact for all external stakeholders. This includes building and maintaining strong relationships with clients to understand their needs, and working with regulatory and accreditation bodies to ensure the lab meets all required standards and expectations.

5.2  Represent the laboratory in meetings, conferences, and industry forums. Act as a key spokesperson for the lab at various professional gatherings. This involves participating in meetings, presenting at conferences, and attending industry forums to promote the lab's services, share expertise, and stay current on market trends.

6.  Budget and Resource Management

6.1  Manage the laboratory budget, including equipment procurement, maintenance, and calibration.

6.2  Ensure efficient resource use to meet operational needs while maintaining cost-effectiveness. to

6.3  Plan and implement upgrades to laboratory infrastructure and technology.

7.  Risk Management

7.1  Identify and mitigate risks related to laboratory operations, such as contamination or equipment failures. Proactively identify potential threats to laboratory integrity and workflow. This involves implementing robust protocols and procedures to prevent risks like sample contamination or equipment malfunctions, ensuring the reliability of all test results and operational continuity.

7.2  Ensure proper handling, storage, and disposal of food samples and hazardous materials. Establish and enforce strict safety and quality protocols for all materials in the lab. This includes meticulously managing the entire lifecycle of food samples and hazardous substances, from secure storage to safe and compliant disposal.

Skills and Competencies

•  Education: Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Microbiology, Biotechnology, or a related field.

•  Leadership and Team Management: Ability to lead and motivate a diverse team.

•  Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of microbiological food testing techniques.

•  Regulatory Compliance: Familiarity with food safety standards (e.g., FDA, FSSAI, Codex Alimentarius).

•  Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills for client and regulatory interactions.

•  Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills to address operational and technical challenges.

•  Project Management: Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

•  Software Proficiency: Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and relevant software.

Additional Requirements

•  Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines.

•  Commitment to maintaining high standards of laboratory safety and quality.

•  Dedication to fostering continuous improvement and innovation.