Job Description

Position Overview

Eurofins Advantar Laboratories is seeking a Laboratory Manager – Microbiology to lead microbiology operations at our San Diego site supporting pharmaceutical and medical device clients.

This is a people leadership role responsible for overseeing laboratory operations through lab supervisors and team leads , ensuring high-quality, compliant, and timely delivery of testing services in a regulated environment.

The Laboratory Manager serves as the execution and technical leader of the department , accountable for laboratory performance across Environmental Monitoring (EM) and Microbiology testing functions. This role operates at a management level, leading leaders , and driving outcomes through effective team structure, technical oversight, and operational discipline.

Key Responsibilities

Laboratory Leadership & Organizational Management

• Lead and manage laboratory operations through:
• Set direction, priorities, and expectations for the laboratory organization
• Ensure strong leadership alignment and accountability at the supervisor/lead level
• Build and maintain a high-performing, scalable team and develop talent.

Laboratory Operations (Execution Ownership)

• · Oversee execution of microbiology and environmental monitoring testing, including:

  • Sterility, bioburden, endotoxin, and related compendial methods
  • Environmental monitoring programs (on-site and off-site)

• · Ensure laboratory performance consistently meets:

  • Turnaround time (TAT) commitments
  • Quality and regulatory standards
  • Client delivery expectations across timelines, scope, and output quality

• · Own reliable and predictable delivery of laboratory services, ensuring work is executed in a manner that supports strong client outcomes

• · Partner with Project Management to align laboratory capacity and execution with client needs and commitments

• · Manage laboratory workflow, prioritization, and resource allocation to ensure on-time, high-quality delivery

• Ensure laboratory operations are executed in a cost-conscious and efficient manner, optimizing labor and materials

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and their teams

• Oversee:

  • Hiring and onboarding
  • Performance management and development planning
  • Organizational structure and staffing alignment

• Establish a culture of:

  • accountability
  • continuous improvement
  • technical excellence

Technical Leadership (Pharma / Medical Device Focus)

• Serve as technical subject matter expert for microbiology operations

• Ensure adherence to:

  • cGMP and regulated laboratory standards
  • USP microbiology methods

• Support:

  • technical escalations
  • investigations and troubleshooting

• Represent the laboratory in audits and client technical discussions

Quality & Compliance

• Maintain compliance with:

  • cGMP, GDP, ISO, and USP standards

• Lead or support:

  • Deviations / OOS investigations
  • CAPAs and change controls

• Ensure audit readiness for:

  • FDA, ISO, and client audits

Client Technical Interface

• Act as technical representative for clients as needed
• Partner with Project Management to support:
  • technical discussions
  • issue resolution
  • capability alignment

Laboratory Infrastructure & Equipment

• Ensure:

  • Qualification, maintenance, and calibration of equipment

• Oversee:

Equipment lifecycle and implementation of new technologies

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Biology, or related life science
• 5+ years of experience in a pharmaceutical or medical device laboratory environment
• 2+ years of leadership experience, including experience supervising laboratory staff or team leads in a regulated environment
• Strong knowledge of:
  • cGMP and regulated lab environments
  • USP microbiology methods

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-team lab operations (EM + Microbiology)
• Experience managing supervisors or functional leads
• Experience supporting regulatory or client audits
• Advanced degree (MS or higher) in Microbiology or related life science preferred

Skills & Competencies

• Proven ability to lead through layered team structures

• Strong operational leadership and execution discipline

• Technical depth in microbiology and regulated testing

• Ability to balance:

  • technical rigor
  • operational efficiency
  • team development

• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills

Additional Information

Position is full-time, Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm. Candidates currently living within a commutable distance of San Diego, CA are encouraged to apply.

Pay Range: $85,000 – $115,000 per year depending on related experience

Excellent full time benefits including

• Comprehensive medical coverage, dental, and vision options
• Life and disability insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation and holidays

Eurofins USA BioPharma Services is a Disabled and Veteran Equal Employment Opportunity employer.