Food Microbiology Lab Lead

Eurofins; Grand Island (FL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Eurofins is seeking a Laboratory Supervisor, Food Microbiology in Florida to lead daily microbiology operations, supervise staff, and ensure testing of food products and environmental samples meets regulatory and client requirements. The role emphasizes quality systems, CAPA, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced lab.

Responsibilities include planning sample flow, overseeing pathogen testing, validating methods, data review, and budget management while enforcing biosafety and GLP standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Biology, Food Science, or a related life science.
• 2+ years of hands-on food or any microbiology laboratory experience.
• 1+ year of lead, supervisory, or training experience (formal or informal).
• Working knowledge of aseptic technique, pathogen testing, and GLP.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prioritize daily sample flow to meet turnaround-time commitments, including pathogen holds and release testing.
• Oversee testing of food, ingredient, and environmental samples for organisms such as Salmonella, Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7 and STEC, Staphylococcus aureus, coliforms, Enterobacteriaceae, yeast and mold, and aerobic plate counts.
• Ensure methods are performed per validated or reference procedures (e.g., USDA FSIS MLG, FDA BAM, AOAC, ISO) using culture-based, rapid, and molecular (PCR) platforms.
• Review and approve test data and reports, verifying accuracy, completeness, and traceability before release.
• Manage media preparation, reference culture maintenance, positive and negative controls, and sterilization and waste decontamination processes.
• Maintain compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 (or equivalent), GLP, and customer and regulatory requirements; support internal and external audits and inspections.
• Own the laboratory document system: SOPs, method verifications, training records, and data integrity controls.
• Lead investigation of out-of-specification results, positive results, contamination events, and nonconformances; drive root cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Manage proficiency testing programs, equipment calibration, verification, and preventive maintenance schedules.
• Enforce biosafety (BSL-2 practices), chemical safety, and good laboratory practices.
• Hire, train, schedule, coach, and evaluate laboratory personnel; maintain competency and training documentation.
• Foster a culture of accuracy, accountability, and food safety.
• Manage staffing, overtime, and weekend or holiday coverage to meet production and testing demand.
• Communicate results, trends, and risks to plant quality, operations, and management; escalate positive pathogen findings promptly.
• Prepare periodic reports on turnaround time, positivity rates, trends, and KPIs.
• Evaluate and implement new methods, instruments, and LIMS improvements to increase efficiency and reliability.
• Manage laboratory budget, supplies, and vendor relationships.

Skills

Lab leadership

Technical judgment

Communication

Organization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Microbiology / Biology / Food Science or related life science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Laboratory software / electronic records

Job description

Eurofins is seeking a Laboratory Supervisor, Food Microbiology in Florida to lead daily microbiology operations, supervise staff, and ensure testing of food products and environmental samples meets regulatory and client requirements. The role emphasizes quality systems, CAPA, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced lab.

Responsibilities include planning sample flow, overseeing pathogen testing, validating methods, data review, and budget management while enforcing biosafety and GLP standards.