Microbiology Laboratory Operations Manager

**Microbiology Laboratory Operations Manager - Mars Global Services Laboratories - Mogi Mirim, Brazil**

Everyday Mars Incorporated takes thousands of decisions that are informed by laboratory data. It is essential that Mars Associates have access to laboratory data that is accurate, reliable and timely to ensure consumer and brand protection, provide competitive advantage and enable operational excellence.

The Microbiology Laboratory Operations Manager ensure the optimal functioning of the Regional Microbiology lab by optimizing resources allocated (material, human, energy, financial) to deliver accurate and reliable results in a predefined time, respecting internal and external standards, and improving safety conditions. Lead, manage, engage, develop and empower direct reports.

**What are we looking for?**
- Degree or diploma in a science-based program or equivalent level of experience.
- Knowledge of microbiology food testing techniques and laboratory operational management (LIMS preferable).
- Experience in people management in a laboratory environment.
- .Solid work experience in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory (ideally) or in a science-based industry
- Fluent in English skills.
- Microsoft Office Proficiency (Excel as a priority).
**What would be your key responsibilities?**

Operational Leadership
- Lead the Regional Laboratory operations, ensuring performance against identified service metrics (quality, timeliness, cost effectiveness) and compliance to internal and external Quality Standards (ISO 17025, Mars Quality Management Process, Cross Contamination Specification) and local regulatory requirements.
- Ensure true, accurate results in a timely manner and managing emergencies by constantly adapting resources to align with business priorities.
- Ensure sufficient coverage for analysis and CoA release including weekends and holidays through the correct organization and leadership of the team members and laboratory activities, planning the activities and adjust the lab testing capacity to business needs and ensure the continuity of laboratory service provision at all times.
- Ensure the correct use of laboratory equipment, through the management of a robust preventative maintenance program of equipment within laboratory unit following ISO 17025 requirements.
Guarantee the Laboratory Incident Support Process (LISP) execution ensuring the correct assessment at all process steps.
- Provide technical expertise in support of Petcare and MWC Quality & Food Safety, R&D and Commercial whenever required.
- Ensure customer satisfaction through reliability and timely results and leading the customer complaints investigation when reliability of results is questioned for the laboratory unit.
- Responsible for operational management of the Micro Lab budget, priorities and SLAs.
- Participate in the validation and matrix verification process of microbiological methods to guarantee the Implementation of validated test methods approved by CoE and local requirements.
- Follow internal and external technical audits, including QMP and ISO Accreditation audit process, leading CAPAs resolution process.
- Support and maintain the Quality Management System and Health, Safety and Environmental programs in collaboration with the MGS LATAM Laboratory Governance Manager.

People Leadership
- Empowering great talent through a performance culture committed to quality, safety, Inclusion & Diversity, wellbeing and team engagement, attending Great Line Manager concept aligned with Mars 5 principles.
- Build an effective team of more than 20 associates direct reports split in two different shifts.
- Ensure the correct workload management and guarantee the lab technicians competency following the training program.
- Set clear objectives and measures monitoring the process, progress and results, providing appropriate feedback through the regularly performance reviews, helping with team development and career planning.
- Manage personnel administration (recruitment, holidays, overtime, etc.) following Mars and legal requirements.
**What can you expect from Mars?**
- The opportunity to learn, develop and take charge of your own career.
- An industry competitive salary and benefits package.
- To be respected and valued.
- The Five Principles at the center of every decision we make.
- The opportunity to work cross functionally, add value and impact a better world for generations to come.

If you’re passionate about our brands, a great strategic thinking, deliver high quality decision and have a high drive for results, then we want to hear from you. Click ‘apply’ in this position.

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