Department Supervisor (Microbiology and Food Testing)

About the role

Element Materials Technology has an opportunity in Fort Wayne, Indiana for a Department Supervisor in its Food Testing Laboratory. This lab plays a leading role in food testing and environmental monitoring, ensuring a safe food supply in the Midwestern food market and beyond. The Department Supervisor is a key member of the department's quality and safety teams, ensuring quality data is produced on time and in a safe and reliable manner. You will be relied upon heavily by colleagues such as technicians, peers, management, and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary subject matter expert for microbiological and chemical food testing
• Under the direction of the Operations Manager, assist in the efficient operation and growth of the lab
• Provide direct supervision of laboratory technical staff
• Ensure laboratory coverage 365 days a year by planning weekend and holiday rotations
• Provide professional and timely customer service to both internal and external customers
• Provide status updates, quote assistance, and other customer service responsibilities as needed
• Participate in supervisory responsibilities including hiring decisions, performance management input, and approval of timecards and overtime
• Understand customer needs to translate and deliver desired results
• Adhere to, support, and follow all Element safety guidelines
• Review and manage inventory to ensure critical supplies are maintained in stock
• Serve as a working supervisor, filling in at the bench level where required due to staffing shortages or sample volume surges

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in food safety, microbiology, biochemistry, or another related technical field with at least one year of supervisory experience is required
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in a supervisory role in an industry similar or related to food testing and/or food quality assurance with college courses in microbiology or food safety may substitute for a bachelor’s degree
• Food microbiology experience in a commercial lab testing food for target pathogens using molecular and cultural techniques, as well as quantitative analysis of typical indicator parameters, is preferred
• Familiarity with FDA BAM, USDA MLG, and AOAC methods is recommended
• Working knowledge of laboratory quality and safety
• Strong computer skills and basic mathematical skills with the ability to apply concepts of basic algebra
• Experience with LIMS data entry and data review
• Capacity to lift less than 50 lbs. often and more than 50 lbs. on occasion, and stand for long periods of time
• Ability to work primarily alone and make independent decisions during the workday
• Proven ability to read, understand, and interpret program or test requirements and analyze and translate them into finished testing or report data
• Able to communicate and demonstrate the importance of meeting all applicable requirements of the food laboratory
• Interpersonal skills essential to relate to and coach a diverse multicultural and multigenerational team
• Excellent communication skills as well as email and telephone etiquette
• Proven ability to provide accurate and timely status reports to internal and external customers
• Capable of tracking multiple testing jobs/programs from start to finish and assist with contract review of job status daily, including follow-up emails and phone calls

About the company

Element is one of the fastest-growing testing, inspection, and certification businesses in the world. Globally, we have more than 9,000 brilliant minds operating from 270 sites across 30 countries. Together, we share an ambitious purpose to ‘Make tomorrow safer than today’. When failure in use is not an option, we help customers make certain that their products, materials, processes, and services are safe, compliant, and fit for purpose.

From early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals, and into production, our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists supports customers to achieve assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access. While we are proud of our global reach, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you to take charge of your career and reward excellence and integrity with growth and development.