Lab Manager, Microbiology - Sturgis, MI Plant

Abbott; Sturgis (MI); On-site; USD 99,000 - 199,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Education benefits

Recognized as great place to work

Job summary

Abbott is seeking a Microbiology Lab Manager in Sturgis, MI to lead the microbiology lab in the Nutrition division. You will oversee testing programs, CAPA, and audits to ensure product quality and safety across ingredients, in-process, and finished products.

You will partner with manufacturing and QA to drive continuous improvement and cost efficiency. You will recruit, coach, and retain a diverse, high‑performing team while maintaining strict GMP compliance and regulatory alignment with FDA

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Bacteriology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biology, or related field.
• 10+ years’ experience in nutrition, food, or allied industry.
• 5+ years’ supervisory experience.
• 5+ years’ working in a regulated FDA/GMP environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the microbiology laboratory’s strategic and operational direction.
• Ensure integrity of microbiological testing programs and regulatory compliance.
• Drive product quality, food safety, and laboratory excellence with cross‑functional teams.
• Manage lab budget and pursue cost improvements.
• Oversee CAPA for microbiological non‑conformities and ensure audits.
• Mentor and develop a diverse, high‑performing staff.
• Maintain GMP compliance and collaborate with QA, manufacturing, and regulatory.

Skills

Nutrition/food industry experience

Supervisory experience

FDA/GMP regulatory experience

Quality/compliance focus

Education

Bachelor's degree in Microbiology or related field

Job description

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Job Title

Microbiology Lab Manager

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to :

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
• An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity

This position works out of our Sturgis, MI location in the Abbott Nutrition division. Our Nutrition business develops science-based nutrition products for people of all ages, from helping babies and children grow to keeping adult bodies strong and active. Millions of people around the world count on our leading brands – including Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, Ensure®, and Glucerna® – to help them get the nutrients they need to live their healthiest lives.

For over 70 years, Abbott’s Sturgis, Mich., has been impacting its community while producing products that provide essential nutrition to millions of families around the world. Working here, you’ll feel part of a family that is dedicated to making a difference and helping others.

What You'll Work On

The Microbiology Lab Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for the microbiology laboratory, ensuring the integrity of microbiological testing programs and compliance with all regulatory, quality, and corporate standards. This role partners closely with manufacturing, quality, and technical teams to drive product quality, food safety, continuous improvement, and laboratory excellence while leading a high-performing team and supporting business objectives.

• Responsible for microbiological testing of ingredients, in-process, finished product and various environment/utility tests.
• Leads corrective action/preventive action (CAPA) for microbiological non-conformities.
• Develop, implement, and monitor laboratory methods and document reviews.
• Assess and implement continuous improvement of laboratory efficiency and productivity.
• Manage the department budget. Assess and implement applicable cost improvement plans related to the lab and microbial testing.
• Technical resource for the plant and technical liaison for other business units.
• Represents the microbiology function for all external quality and regulatory audits.
• Manages the site internal microbiology audit program.
• Conducts applicable internal audits annually.
• Review global corrective actions and assesses whether site action is required.
• Responsible to maintain high-quality levels on all products while achieving high efficiency.
• Responsible for GMP compliance, manufacturing quality, laboratory support, and quality planning.
• Hires and retains a diverse, highly qualified staff and provides ongoing performance feedback. Sets goals which align to department plans and manages the execution of goals through coaching and mentoring. Maintains a safe and professional work environment.
• Complies with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, other regulatory requirements, Company policies, operating procedures, processes, and task assignments. Maintains positive and cooperative communications and collaboration with all levels of employees, customers, contractors, and vendors.

You’ll be accountable for meeting our compliance standards including FDA, OSHA and Abbott policies and procedures

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Microbiology, Bacteriology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biology, or other related field
• 10+ years’ experience in nutrition, food, or allied industry
• 5+ years’ supervisory experience
• 5+ years’ working in a regulated FDA/GMP environment

Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

The base pay for this position is $99,300.00 – $198,700.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.