Technical Supervisor - Histotechnology

University of Guelph; Guelph; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Guelph's Animal Health Laboratory is seeking a Technical Supervisor in Histotechnology to oversee daily operations, staff coordination, and alignment with accreditation standards.

Reporting to the Veterinary Pathologist, you will lead a unionized team, write SOPs, manage workloads, train staff, and ensure high-quality diagnostic services while maintaining safety and compliance in a fast-paced lab environment.

Qualifications

• Three-year Community College program with Medical Laboratory Technologist certification or equivalent; 4 years related experience or equivalent.
• Proven leadership and supervisory skills, preferably in a unionized environment.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues effectively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with laboratory quality systems (ISO 17025) and accreditation requirements.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and supervise histotechnology lab staff; schedule workload and resources.
• Lead regular lab meetings; conduct performance reviews in consultation with the Veterinary Pathologist.
• Write SOPs and work instructions; oversee training and safety compliance.
• Provide hands-on technical testing and QC; participate in CAPA non-conformances.
• Assist with method development, inventory management, and client service resolution.

Skills

Leadership

supervision

Troubleshooting

Communication

Quality systems

Laboratory QA

ISO 17025

Education

MLT certification

Tools

Lab Information Systems

Job description

Department: LSDAHL Histotechnology
This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph
Temporary full-time from11/16/2026to05/19/2028 Temporary Absence of the Regular Incumbent

General Purpose

With the mission of working together toward a healthier future, the Animal Health Laboratory provides high-value analytic and diagnostic services for the agricultural, food and veterinary sectors. Under the general direction of the supervising Veterinary Pathologist, the Technical Supervisor oversees the day-to-day technical operations of the Histotechnology laboratory while ensuring compliance with rigorous accreditation standards. The ideal candidate not only brings sound knowledge of and experience with histotechnology procedures, but is a highly skilled operations manager and people leader with a proven track record of advancing service delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent coordinates and supervises the activities of the Histotechnology lab staff while fostering an environment that promotes teamwork, productivity and continuous improvement. The incumbent in this position will be responsible for prioritizing and scheduling workload and resources; trouble-shooting and resolving issues within the lab section; conducting regular lab section meetings; providing effective leadership and supervision to a unionized employee work group including conducting performance reviews, recognizing achievements and appropriately addressing performance related concerns in consultation with the supervising Veterinary Pathologist.

Additionally, the Technical Supervisor will: write SOPs and work instructions; identify training needs, schedule training programs and ensure that all applicable SOPs and health & safety regulations are adhered to; utilize their technical expertise through the hands-on provision of a wide range of testing services; provide quotations for contract work; monitor QC and resolve issues brought forward through the non-conformance reporting process (CAPA), in order to support continuous improvement of client services.

The Technical Supervisor also contributes to daily Histotechnology activities in the laboratory, including: receiving, recording and preparing tissue specimens for microscopic examination, including embedding tissues in paraffin, cutting sections, and staining slides; specialized techniques, and special (histochemical) staining requirements, including immunohistochemistry; maintaining stock of tissue controls; maintaining quality control by investigating and correcting unsatisfactory test results; preparing reagents used in routine and special techniques; assisting with method development projects; filing and retrieving slides and blocks; preparing summaries and special reports; providing technical guidance and instruction to colleagues, students and staff; maintaining adequate inventory supplies; investigating and resolving client service issues; and maintaining laboratory cleanliness and safety.

Requirements

• Three-year Community College program with Medical Laboratory Technologist certification or equivalent, 4 years related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven leadership and supervisory skills (preferably within a unionized environment), with a demonstrated ability to motivate and guide teams in a high-volume laboratory with tight, client-driven deadlines.
• Ability to effectively trouble-shoot and resolve issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent client service skills and experience managing a diverse group of internal and external clients.
• Thorough knowledge of laboratory quality systems (e.g., ISO 17025) and accreditation requirements including: the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD); the Standards Council of Canada (SCC); and the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA).
• Superior administrative, organizational and supply management skills.
• Familiarity with laboratory information systems and basic laboratory accounting is needed.
• Rabies immunization is required.

Employee Type: Regular

Position Number: 10482109
Classification: P&M FT- Band 05
Professional/Managerial Salary Bands
The target hiring salary for this position is minimum and up to 96% of midpoint for the salary grade.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 10/02/2026
Closing Date: 10/16/2026