Microbiology Manager

Valtera Group Ltd; Galway; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work flexibility

Job summary

Valtera Group Ltd is seeking a Microbiology Team Lead for our Galway site in Ireland with remote flex. The role focuses on investigations, projects, equipment qualification, and team leadership within sterile pharmaceuticals/biologics manufacturing.

You will oversee microbiology investigations, support equipment and automation projects, and provide leadership to Level III microbiology personnel, ensuring compliance with GMP and Annex 1.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of microbiology experience in sterile pharma/biologics manufacturing
• Proven track record leading microbiology investigations end-to-end
• Experience at Team Lead/Senior Microbiologist level (even without direct reports)
• Strong understanding of sterile manufacturing and Annex 1 expectations
• Experience with media fills and equipment qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) and GMP documentation
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Ability to balance operational priorities with improvement initiatives

Responsibilities

• Lead microbiology investigations from initiation through closure
• Drive root cause analysis and impact assessments
• Coordinate laboratory projects and automation initiatives
• Manage equipment qualification activities (IQ/OQ/PQ) and related GMP docs
• Collaborate with QA, Technical Services and Manufacturing
• Run Tier 1 meetings and track progress
• Support Annex 1 compliance activities
• Mentor microbiology technicians

Skills

Leadership

Investigations

Environmental monitoring

Annex 1 knowledge

Root cause analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Microbiology

Tools

IQ/OQ/PQ documentation

GMP documentation

Job description

Microbiology Team Lead

Galway, Ireland (some remote flex)

Permanent Position

Focus: Investigations, Projects, Equipment Qualification & Team Leadership

Sterile Pharmaceuticals / Biologics

Role Context

An exciting opportunity for a senior microbiology professional with 7+ years' experience in sterile pharmaceutical or biologics manufacturing to join a major sterile manufacturing site as Team Lead, responsible for Projects & Investigations.

You will lead microbiology investigations, support equipment and automation projects, and provide leadership to Level III microbiology personnel.

What You Will Do

• Lead microbiology investigations from initiation through closure
• Drive robust root cause analysis and impact assessments
• Support and coordinate laboratory projects and automation initiatives
• Manage equipment qualification activities including IQ/OQ/PQ documentation
• Work with vendors, QA, Technical Services and Manufacturing stakeholders
• Run Tier 1 operational meetings and track investigation/project progress
• Support Annex 1 compliance activities
• Prioritise multiple workstreams across a busy GMP laboratory
• Mentor and support technicians within the microbiology team

What We're Looking For

• Degree in Microbiology, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related discipline
• 7+ years' microbiology experience within pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical or biologics manufacturing
• Proven track record leading microbiology investigations end-to-end, not just contributing to them
• Prior experience operating at Team Lead, Senior Microbiologist or equivalent level (even without formal direct reports)
• Strong understanding of sterile manufacturing, environmental monitoring and Annex 1 expectations
• Experience with media fills, equipment qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) and GMP documentation
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Ability to balance operational priorities with improvement initiatives