Microbiology Manager-

EFRAC Lab; Barasat; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Job summary

EFRAC Lab in Barasat, Kolkata invites an experienced Microbiology Manager to lead the Microbiology division focused on Food Testing. The role oversees microbiological testing across samples, ensures quality and regulatory compliance, and guides a team of microbiologists.

The candidate will drive GLP, GMP, ISO/IEC 17025 adherence, develop SOPs, manage audits, and coordinate with QA and other departments to maintain accuracy, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10–15 years of relevant experience in Microbiology.
• Experience in Food Testing or Pharmaceutical Testing labs.
• Managerial or leadership experience in a microbiology lab.
• Strong knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025, GLP, GMP.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Microbiology division with Food Testing operations.
• Oversee microbiological testing of food, raw materials, finished products, water and environmental samples.
• Ensure testing complies with national and international standards and approved lab procedures.
• Manage laboratory workflow, sample processing, testing schedules, turnaround time, and resource allocation.
• Review test results, reports, and observations; authorize conclusions.
• Ensure adherence to GLP, GMP, ISO/IEC 17025 and lab quality systems.
• Develop, review, and implement SOPs, test methods and QC procedures.
• Lead method verification/validation, media QC, environmental monitoring, and sterility-related activities.
• Investigate OOS/OOT results, deviations, non-conformances, CAPA.
• Plan manpower, train team, evaluate performance, and build competency.
• Support audits and regulatory inspections.
• Coordinate with QA, Food Testing, Chemistry and other departments for smooth operations.
• Drive continuous improvement in testing quality and customer satisfaction.
• Stay updated with changes in microbiological standards and regulatory expectations.

Skills

Leadership

Microbiology

Quality systems

Regulatory compliance

Team management

Job description

Experience: Minimum 10 - 15 years in Microbiology

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and technically strong Microbiology Manager to lead our Microbiology division, with a major focus on Food Testing. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in microbiological testing, laboratory operations, quality systems, team management, and regulatory compliance within the food and/or pharmaceutical testing industry.

The candidate will be responsible for managing day-to-day microbiology laboratory operations, ensuring accurate and timely testing, maintaining quality standards, and leading a team of microbiologists and laboratory professionals.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Microbiology division with primary responsibility for Food Testing operations.
• Oversee microbiological testing of food, raw materials, finished products, water, environmental samples, and other relevant matrices.
• Ensure testing is performed in accordance with applicable national and international standards, regulatory requirements, and approved laboratory procedures.
• Manage laboratory workflow, sample processing, testing schedules, turnaround time, and resource allocation.
• Review and authorize test results, reports, analytical data, and microbiological observations as applicable.
• Ensure adherence to GLP, GMP, ISO/IEC 17025, laboratory quality systems, and relevant food/pharmaceutical regulatory requirements.
• Develop, review, and implement SOPs, test methods, work instructions, and quality-control procedures.
• Lead method verification/validation, media quality control, environmental monitoring, sterility-related activities, and other microbiological quality-control programs as applicable.
• Investigate OOS/OOT results, deviations, non-conformances, customer complaints, and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
• Ensure effective maintenance, calibration, qualification, and performance monitoring of microbiology laboratory equipment.
• Plan manpower requirements, train team members, evaluate performance, and build technical competency within the department.
• Support internal and external audits, accreditation assessments, regulatory inspections, and customer audits.
• Coordinate with Quality Assurance, Food Testing, Chemistry, Sample Management, and other departments for smooth laboratory operations.
• Drive continuous improvement in testing quality, laboratory efficiency, turnaround time, and customer satisfaction.
• Stay updated with changes in microbiological standards, food safety requirements, testing methodologies, and regulatory expectations.

Requirements :

• Minimum 10- 15 years of relevant experience in Microbiology, preferably in a recognized Food Testing / Pharmaceutical Testing / Contract Testing Laboratory.
• Strong preference for candidates with substantial experience in Food Microbiology Testing.
• Experience in managing a microbiology laboratory/team at a managerial or leadership level.
• Strong knowledge of microbiological testing methodologies and interpretation of results.
• Good understanding of ISO/IEC 17025, GLP, GMP, food microbiology standards, quality systems, and laboratory accreditation requirements.
• Experience in handling audits, investigations, CAPA, method validation/verification, and laboratory quality management.
• Strong leadership, people-management, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Candidates who have managed high-volume testing operations and multidisciplinary laboratory teams will be preferred.

Location: Barasat, Kolkata

We encourage experienced Microbiology professionals with strong Food Testing expertise to apply.