QC Microbiology Manager

Barden | B Corp; Cork; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Barden is seeking a QC Manager to lead a specialist QC function at our Cork site for a global biotechnology client. The role combines people leadership, laboratory operations and technical oversight within a highly regulated environment, supporting manufacturing and product release.

Reporting to the Head of QC, you will build a high-performance team, manage environmental and sterility testing programs, investigate deviations, plan resources, and represent QC during audits.

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams in GMP-regulated labs.
• Strong knowledge of quality requirements in biotech/pharma.
• Excellent communication across site functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the QC team, ensuring testing and monitoring activities are delivered safely, compliantly and on time.
• Oversee environmental monitoring, utilities monitoring and sterility testing programmes.
• Provide oversight of investigations, deviations, OOS/OOT events and corrective actions.
• Plan resources and laboratory capacity in line with manufacturing requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement and high-performance team behaviours across the function.
• Support equipment, method validation and laboratory improvement projects.
• Maintain an inspection-ready operation and represent QC during regulatory and customer audits.
• Work closely with QA, Manufacturing, Facilities, Supply Chain and other site functions.
• Support recruitment, training, performance management and succession planning within the team.

Skills

GMP Knowledge

Leadership

Quality Systems

Job description

Barden is delighted to be supporting our global biotechnology client in their search for a QC Manager to lead a specialist QC function at their Cork site.

This is an opportunity for an experienced QC or Operations Manager to take ownership of a key laboratory function within a highly regulated, multi-product biotechnology environment, combining people leadership, operational delivery and technical oversight.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Reporting to the Head of QC, you'll lead a specialist QC team responsible for microbiological testing and monitoring that supports manufacturing and product release.

The role combines team leadership, laboratory operations and cross-functional site responsibility, working closely with QA, Manufacturing, Facilities and Supply Chain to ensure testing, monitoring and quality commitments are delivered effectively.

You'll also have the opportunity to contribute to wider site initiatives, including investigations, continuous improvement, equipment and method validation, regulatory inspections and global quality projects.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Lead and develop the QC team, ensuring testing and monitoring activities are delivered safely, compliantly and on time.
• Oversee environmental monitoring, utilities monitoring and sterility testing programmes.
• Provide oversight of investigations, deviations, OOS/OOT events and corrective actions.
• Plan resources and laboratory capacity in line with manufacturing requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement and high-performance team behaviours across the function.
• Support equipment, method validation and laboratory improvement projects.
• Maintain an inspection-ready operation and represent QC during regulatory and customer audits.
• Work closely with QA, Manufacturing, Facilities, Supply Chain and other site functions.
• Support recruitment, training, performance management and succession planning within the team.

ABOUT THE PERSON:

We're open to backgrounds here. You may be an experienced QC Manager, QC Operations Manager, Laboratory Manager or Operations Manager with strong experience in a GMP-regulated biotechnology or pharmaceutical environment.

You’ll ideally bring:

• 2-3 Years' experience leading teams within a regulated manufacturing or laboratory environment.
• Strong understanding of GMP and quality requirements.
• Exposure to microbiology, aseptic operations, environmental monitoring or contamination control.
• Strong operational planning, problem-solving and people leadership skills.
• Experience managing investigations, continuous improvement or quality-related projects.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively across multiple site functions.