Laboratory Manager – Microbiology (Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Testing)

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

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

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.