Assistant Manager, Laboratory Operations

Kawan Food Berhad; Port Klang; On-site; MYR 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Kawan Food Berhad in Port Klang, Selangor, Malaysia is seeking an Assistant Manager, Laboratory Operations to plan, coordinate, and supervise daily lab activities to meet turnaround times and ensure samples are processed according to SOPs. The role is based in Pulau Indah, Klang and requires strong leadership in a high‑standard microbiology lab.

You will lead QA, GLP, and ISO 17025 compliant practices, manage data quality, audits, and staff development, with emphasis on iQC trend analysis and

Qualifications

• Minimum degree requirement as listed.
• Hands-on experience in performing routine food microbiological analyses.
• Experience in method verification, validation and implementation according to ISO 16140 or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Plans, coordinates, and supervises daily laboratory operations to ensure testing is completed on time.
• Allocates testing assignments and monitors laboratory workload.
• Ensures samples are received, processed, tested, and reported per approved procedures.
• Performs microbiological testing when required to support laboratory operations.
• Maintains GLP and laboratory housekeeping for compliance.
• Reviews, verifies, and approves microbiological test results before release.
• Investigates abnormal, out-of-specification (OOS) or unexpected results; provides troubleshooting.
• Monitors iQC trends, PT performance, and quality indicators; drives improvements.
• Coordinates method verification, validation, and implementation of revised testing methods.
• Maintains compliance with MS ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation requirements.
• Coordinates participation in PT and interlaboratory comparison programs.
• Manages non-conforming work, corrective actions, and effectiveness verification.
• Supports risk assessment and continual improvement activities.
• Supervises and coaches laboratory personnel; plans training and competency assessments.
• Monitors staff performance and productivity; promotes teamwork and a culture of quality.
• Ensures laboratory equipment is calibrated, verified, and maintained; monitors environmental conditions.
• Reviews and maintains laboratory documentation; ensures document control compliance.

Education

Minimum Degree in Chemistry, Microbiology, Food Science, Food Technology, Biotechnology or its equivalent

Job description

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Assistant Manager, Laboratory Operations

• a) Plans, coordinates, and supervises daily laboratory operations to ensure testing is completed according to agreed turnaround times.
• b) Allocates testing assignments and monitor laboratory workload.
• c) Ensures all samples are received, processed, tested, and reported in accordance with approved procedures.
• d) Performs microbiological testing when required to support laboratory operations.
• e) Ensures laboratory housekeeping, cleanliness, and good laboratory practices (GLP) are maintained.

Technical Management

• a) Reviews, verifies, and approves microbiological test results before release.
• b) Investigates abnormal, out-of-specification (OOS) or unexpected results.
• c) Provides technical guidance and troubleshooting for routine and complex microbiological analyses.
• d) Ensures approved test methods are correctly implemented and consistently applied.

Quality Control & Data Analysis

• a) Reviews and analyses internal quality control (iQC) results to ensure the validity and reliability of laboratory test results.
• b) Evaluates quality control data following method changes, equipment maintenance or calibration, and implementation of new test methods.
• c) Monitors iQC trends, proficiency testing (PT) performance and quality indicators to identify adverse trends, recurring issues and opportunities for improvement.
• d) Investigates out-of-trend (OOT), OOS and atypical results, and coordinates appropriate corrective and preventive actions.
• e) Analyses laboratory performance data, including turnaround time (TAT), repeat testing, testing errors and customer feedback, and recommend improvement initiatives.
• f) Utilizes laboratory data to support root cause analysis, risk assessments, and continual improvement activities.

MS ISO/IEC 17025 Quality Management

• a) Maintains compliance with MS ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation requirements.
• b) Ensures technical records are complete, accurate, and traceable.
• c) Coordinates method verification, validation, and implementation of revised testing methods.
• d) Monitors laboratory quality control activities including positive controls, negative controls, media quality, and environmental monitoring.
• e) Coordinates participation in PT and interlaboratory comparison programmes.
• f) Manages non-conforming work, corrective actions, and effectiveness verification.
• g) Participates in internal and external audits and accreditation assessments.
• h) Supports risk assessment and continual improvement activities.

Equipment and Laboratory Facilities

• a) Ensures laboratory equipment is calibrated, verified, and maintained according to schedule.
• b) Coordinates preventive maintenance and equipment servicing.
• c) Investigates equipment failures and ensure equipment is fit for intended use before returning to service.
• d) Monitors laboratory environmental conditions and facility requirements.

Documentation Management

• a) Reviews and maintains laboratory documentation.
• b) Ensures document control complies with MS ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.

Leadership and People Management

• a) Supervises and coach laboratory personnel to ensure technical competency.
• b) Plans staff training and competency assessments.
• c) Monitors staff performance and productivity.
• d) Fosters teamwork, accountability, and a culture of quality within the laboratory.
• e) Supports recruitment and onboarding of laboratory personnel where required.

Inventory and Resource Management

• a) Monitors laboratory consumables, reagents, media, and reference materials.
• b) Ensures sufficient inventory is available to support uninterrupted laboratory operations.
• c) Assists in laboratory budgeting and procurement planning.

• a) Identifies opportunities to improve laboratory efficiency, productivity, and quality.
• b) Supports implementation of digitalization, automation, and process improvement initiatives.
• c) Monitors laboratory KPIs and recommend improvement actions.

Health, Safety, and Food Safety

• a) Ensures compliance with laboratory biosafety, occupational safety, and health requirements.
• b) Promotes safe laboratory practices and proper waste management.
• c) Ensures laboratory activities support the company’s food safety management systems and regulatory requirements.

Job Requirement

• -Minimum Degree in Chemistry, Microbiology, Food Science, Food Technology, Biotechnology or its equivalent
• - Minimum 3 to 5 years of experience in a MS ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory, preferably in the food manufacturing, food testing or related industry.
• - Hands-on experience in performing routine food microbiological analyses.
• - Experience in method verification, validation, and implementation according to ISO 16140 or equivalent standards.
• - Experience in reviewing, analysing, and interpreting iQC, PT and laboratory performance data to identify trends, investigate issues and implement appropriate corrective actions.
• - Experience participating in internal and external laboratory audits, accreditation assessments or corrective action activities.
• - Practical experience in implementing laboratory quality practices and ensuring compliance with laboratory procedures.
• - Experience in planning and coordinating daily laboratory activities while maintaining testing turnaround time and data integrity.
• - Experience in supervising, coaching or mentoring laboratory personnel is an added advantage.
• - Good understanding of laboratory safety, GLP and food safety requirements.
• -Willing to be based in Pulau Indah, Klang.