Principal Microbiologist

Company Description
**Eurofins Scientific is an international life sciences company, providing a unique range of analytical testing services to clients across multiple industries, to make life and our environment safer, healthier and more sustainable. From the food you eat, to the water you drink, to the medicines you rely on, Eurofins works with the biggest companies in the world to ensure the products they supply are safe, their ingredients are authentic and labelling is accurate. Eurofins believes it is a global leader in food, environmental, pharmaceutical and cosmetics products testing and in agroscience CRO services. It is also one of the global independent market leaders in certain testing and laboratory services for genomics, discovery pharmacology, forensics, CDMO, advanced material sciences and in the support of clinical studies.**

**In over just 30 years, Eurofins has grown from one laboratory in Nantes, France to over 58,000 staff across a network of more than 1000 independent companies in over 54 countries and operating more than 900 laboratories. Eurofins offers a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods to evaluate the safety, identity, composition, authenticity, origin, traceability and purity of biological substances and products, as well as providing innovative clinical diagnostic testing services, as one of the leading global emerging players in specialised clinical diagnostics testing.**

**In 2021, Eurofins generated total revenues of EUR € 6.7 billion, and has been among the best performing stocks in Europe over the past 20 years.**

**Job Description**:
**Working hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm.**

As a Principal Microbiologist, you will help manage the general operation of the Altair Analytical laboratory in terms of service, staffing, cost effectiveness and customer satisfaction. You will also deputise for the Laboratory Manager during absence from site.

Additionally, you will work with the Laboratory Manager and the Quality Manager to maintain the laboratory’s ISO17025 accreditation and take the lead with method development and internal quality control reporting

**Key Accountabilities**
- Functions as a technical expert in food microbiology, performing and maintaining proficiency for procedures and equipment within the section.
- Troubleshooting and resolving technical and equipment problems.
- Plans daily work schedule and assignments for sections insuring that work is done and reported promptly and accurately; preparing schedules and arranging coverage.
- Recognizes the need for and assumes daily departmental responsibilities, in the case of staffing shortages.
- Establishes and monitors preventive maintenance and quality control procedures for all equipment and methods, documenting audits as required.
- Completes all proficiency testing in the allotted time, reviewing results, taking corrective action and documenting review.
- Establishes and reviews general laboratory SOPs liaising with the Quality Manager.
- Supervises the orientation and training of new personnel. Conducts performance appraisals in a timely manner and documents above or below standard performance, providing supporting documentation.
- Makes suggestions for improved work methods and ways to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and solve operational problems.
- Understands and follows company policies and procedures.
- Works with other departments to plan for and accomplish organizational goals and objectives, and development and execution of organizational projects
- Other activities as assigned

**Qualifications**:

- Proven experience of working in an accredited food microbiology laboratory. 4 - 5 years.
- Prior staff supervisory experience.
- Experience in food microbiology quality control and assurance.
- Developing or improving methods of analysis suitable for addition to a schedule of accreditation.

Additional Information
**Benefits**

At Eurofins we are growing, innovating and always learning. We celebrate the achievements of our employees through annual long service awards, recognise our colleagues special life events, and we are committed to charitable causes through global fundraising activities.

As a Eurofins employee you will benefit from:

- Holiday Purchase Scheme
- Life Assurance (4 times annual salary)
- Company Pension Plan
- Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 confidential support.
- Free car parking
- Worldwide career opportunities
- Everyone who joins our team also gets access to Perkbox, allowing you to save money all year round. Whether its supermarket savings or days out, the daily coffee or a summer holiday - there’s something to suit everyone’s lifestyle.

**What Happens Next**

Our people are the backbone of what we do, so it's incredibly important we find the right individuals to join us. As a potential new recruit you'll be invited to meet the team to give you the opportunity to see what working for Eurofins is really like and enable us to get you know your key s