Microbiology Lab Supervisor
ABOUT UDA:
UDA is a local, family-owned, dairy cooperative committed to serve the needs of our members, community, and customers by providing high quality milk and dairy products. As the only milk marketing co-op in the state, UDA oversees the production, processing, and marketing of Arizona’s finest milk products from farm to Retail in 48 hours or less. From sweet cream and butter to non-fat dry milk, UDA provides milk products to manufactures and supermarket chains throughout the Grand Canyon State.
Our motto at UDA is “United in Excellence.” The dairy industry’s success isn’t built on one dairy or brand, it’s built on the community as a whole - this includes our amazing employees. When you join UDA, you’re not just joining a business, you’re joining a family. Since 1960 UDA has been headquartered, operated, and managed in Arizona. We strive to provide our employees with rewarding career opportunities aimed at long-term stability, growth, and advancement. We put our heart and soul into our products and value our team who show up, every day and do the work.
Job Summary/Objective
The Microbiology Lab Supervisor will oversee the team of microbiologists and related testing in the onsite UDA laboratory. This role is responsible for ensuring testing efficiency, keeping necessary supplies current, training the team, and communicating with lab and plant management.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:
- Apply aseptic/microbiological techniques in daily workload and prepare and analyze samples for indicator organisms and pathogens according to acceptable methods.
- Keep accurate and legible records.
- Independently pursue an assigned series of processes, procedures, or techniques in accordance with the Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products, Quality Manual, Chemical Hygiene Plan, Safety Manual, and approved laboratory procedures.
- Accurately perform and read test results and notify QA management of deviations.
- Prepare media and reagents as needed for daily microbiological testing.
- Maintain a high degree of technical competence by attending professional workshops and being aware of food industry issues and trends.
- Train the microbiology team on relevant procedures and administer/pass proficiency testing.
- Report inventory and expendable supplies/materials needed for testing requirements.
- Assist in quality control duties by taking incubator temperatures, inoculating control organisms, creating and maintaining quality control charts, running media controls etc., and other laboratory quality control procedures including quality control documentation review.
- Complete CAPAs for micro-related non-conformances.
- Assist with the coordination of sample collection, transport, and receiving.
- Maintain a clean and sanitary work area at all times.
- Participate in the development of the micro lab budget and tracking of costs to include labor, supplies, and testing materials to insure cost control
- Adhere to all SOP's and HACCP guidelines.
- Adhere to all UDA quality, safety, and GMP policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.
- Other duties as requested to assist UDA in accomplishing our overall goals and objectives as a whole.
Qualifications:
General Skills & Abilities needed to complete job successfully:
Ability to lead, instruct, coach, and motivate microbiology lab team members.
Strong communication skills to act as liason between lab manager, department management, plant management, and laboratory technicians.
Ability to execute and ensure all microbiology laboratory tests are completed by team members on time and per SOP.
Diligence to ensure microbiology laboratory maintains appropriate supply levels through inventory control and appropriate ordering of supplies while maintaining lab costs to budget.
Knowledge of proficiency testing and maintaining proficiency programs
Support lab operational excellence in the areas of team member safety, accuracy & precision, lab efficiency as measured in turnaround time, and cost control.
Competent in ISO and AOAC method of analysis.
Requires complete understanding of method validation and how to perform them.
Possess excellent prioritizing skills.
Must be extremely detail oriented and able to multitask.
Must be able to work 12-hour shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
Requires ability to read, hear, speak, and comprehend and carry out verbal and written instructions and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Experience: (required)
A good working knowledge of pathogen and indicator organism testing experience.
Knowledge of food manufacturing practices.
Experience: (preferred)
A good working knowledge of pathogen and indicator organism testing experience.
Knowledge of food manufacturing practices.
Education/Certifications: (if n/a is applicable please note “N/A)
| Required | Preferred | |
| Education (degree/certifications) | Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology or related field of study or equivalent work experience in microbiology in related field. |
Work Environment & Demands
Physical and environmental demands for this position are indicated below:
Physical Demands:
☒Sitting for limited periods of time
☐Standing and walking for extended periods of time
☒Occasional bending, crouching, stooping, twisting, reaching and grasping
☒Manual dexterity and repetitive movement of fingers and hands for keyboarding
☒Ability to climb stairs
☒Some lifting, up to 55 pounds
BENEFITS:
- Medical, Dental & Vision plans
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match
- Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Health & Wellness Programs
- Paid Time Off
- Shift Pay Differential
- Education Assistance
- On-site Fitness Center
- On-Site Health Clinic
The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list; employees may be subject to additional, or altered, tasks and the scope of the role may change as necessitated by business demands. UDA will not consider any application submissions from unauthorized third-parties, consulting, or external staffing firms and will not be held subject, or liable, to any terms, fees, or penalties associated with a submission.
UDA is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.