Department Supervisor (Microbiology and Food Testing)

Job description

Department Supervisor (Microbiology and Food Testing)

Job Locations

US-IN-Fort Wayne

ID

Overview

Element Materials Technology has an opportunity in Fort Wayne, Indiana for a Department Supervisor in its Food Testing Laboratory . This lab plays a leading role in food testing and environmental monitoring, ensuring a safe food supply in the Midwestern food market and beyond. The Department Supervisor is a key member of the department's quality and safety teams, ensuring quality data is produced on time and in a safe and reliable manner. You will be relied upon heavily by other colleagues such as technicians, peers, management and beyond. In this role you will be working alongside the technicians to support and guide staff in timely completion of daily work. You will also be interacting daily with other internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Act as primary subject matter expert for microbiological and chemical food testing

Under the direction of the Operations Manager, assist in the efficient operation and growth of the lab

Provide direct supervision of laboratory technical staff

Responsible for ensuring laboratory coverage 365 days a year by planning weekend and holiday rotations

Provide professional and timely customer service to both internal and external customers

Provide status updates, quote assistance and other customer service responsibilities as needed

Participate in supervisory responsibilities including hiring decisions, performance management input, decisions and execution, and approval of timecards and overtime

Understand the customer needs to translate and deliver desired customer results

Adhere to, support and follow all Element safety guidelines

Review and manage inventory to ensure critical supplies are maintained in stock

The position is a working supervisor that will be able to fill in at the bench level where required due to staffing shortages or sample volume surges

Skills / Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in food safety, microbiology, biochemistry, or another related technical field with at least one year of supervisory experience is required. A minimum of 3 years' experience in a supervisory role in an industry similar or related to food testing and/or food quality assurance with college courses in microbiology or food safety may substitute for a bachelor's degree

Applicants that possess food microbiology specific experience in a commercial lab that tests food for target pathogens using molecular and cultural techniques as well as quantitative analysis of typical indicator parameters are preferred

Familiarity with FDA BAM, USDA MLG, and AOAC methods is recommended

Working knowledge of laboratory quality and safety

Strong computer skills and basic mathematical skills with the ability to apply concepts of basic algebra

Experience with LIMS data entry and data review

Capacity to lift 50 lbs. on occasion and stand on feet for long periods of time

Ability to work primarily alone and make independent decisions during the course of the work day

Proven ability to read, understand and interpret program or test requirements and able to analyze and translate into finished testing or report data

Able to communicate and demonstrate the importance of meeting all applicable requirements of the food laboratory

Interpersonal skills essential to relate to and coach a diverse multicultural and multigenerational team

Excellent communication skills as well as email and telephone etiquette

Proven and recognized ability to provide accurate and timely status reports to internal and external customers

Capable of tracking multiple testing jobs / programs from start to finish and assist with contract review of job status daily, including follow-up emails and phone calls daily to and from internal and external customers

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Company Overview

Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection and certification businesses in the world. Globally we have more than 9,000 brilliant minds operating from 270 sites across 30 countries. Together we share an ambitious purpose to 'Make tomorrow safer than today'.

When failure in use is not an option, we help customers make certain that their products, materials, processes and services are safe, compliant and fit for purpose. From early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals and into production, our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists support customers to achieve assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access.

While we are proud of our global reach, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you to take charge of your career, and reward excellence and integrity with growth and development.

Industries across the world depend on our care, attention to detail and the absolute accuracy of our work. The role we have to play in creating a safer world is much bigger than our organization.

Diversity Statement

At Element, we always take pride in putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our Vision of becoming "the world's most trusted testing partner".

All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, or gender identity or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws.

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.