Reports directly to: Microbiology Laboratory Supervisor

Position profile

The Microbiology Team Leader responsibility is to provide microbiology testing services and to maintain and troubleshoot instruments, and implement new methods of analysis.

OVERALL OBJECTIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Laboratory Operations and Supervision

- Oversee daily operations of the microbiology laboratory, ensuring testing services are

completed efficiently and within turnaround time requirements.
- Supervise, mentor, and support microbiology staff, providing regular performance

feedback, coaching, and guidance.
- Ensure balanced workload distribution across the team and assist in managing priorities,

especially for urgent or high-priority samples.
- Maintain a clean, well-organized, and compliant laboratory environment.

- Monitor laboratory workflow and provide advance notice to management of any potential

delays, equipment issues, or staffing concerns.
- Collaborate effectively with other departments, including sample registration, QA, and

client services, to support smooth lab operations.
- Maintain and review staff training records; coordinate training programs for new and

current team members on microbiological techniques, safety practices, and equipment use.

Microbiological Testing and Analysis

- Perform and oversee intermediate to advanced microbiological analyses, including routine

and non-routine testing of raw materials, finished products, and environmental samples.
- Conduct and review microbial enumeration, microbial identification, sterility testing, and

other test types in accordance with SOPs and regulatory guidelines.
- Oversee method development, method verification, and validation projects related to

microbiological testing.
- Ensure testing accuracy and data integrity by reviewing raw data, batch records, and

laboratory documentation.
- Provide troubleshooting support and technical guidance to analysts to resolve testing

challenges and ensure consistent, high-quality results.




- Support research and development activities and special projects, including validation

protocols or custom client requests.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

- Ensure all microbiological testing activities comply with ISO 17025, GMP, and other

applicable standards and regulations.
- Monitor quality control trends (c.g. positive/negative controls, environmental

monitoring, etc.) and take corrective action where necessary.
- Identify, document, and escalate any non-conformances or deviations in test execution

or results.
- Support internal and external audits by providing accurate and complete

documentation.
- Contribute to the development, review, and revision of microbiology-related SOPs, work

instructions, and QA systems.
- Promote good documentation practices and compliance with PPB Analytical

Laboratories" quality management system.

Instrument and Equipment Management

- Oversee the use, maintenance, and calibration of microbiological laboratory

instruments and equipment (c.g., incubators, biosafety cabinets, autoclaves, pipettes).
- Coordinate equipment service calls and maintain accurate service and calibration

records
- Ensure adequate inventory of microbiology-specific supplies, reagents, media, and

consumables; coordinate with purchasing as needed.
- Support the qualification of new equipment and ensure readiness for use in testing

workflows

Health, Safety, and Environmental Compliance

- Promote and enforce PPB Analytical Laboratories' Health & Safety policies within the

microbiology laboratory.
- Ensure safe handling, storage, and disposal of microbial cultures, media, and biological

waste according to regulatory and internal procedures.




- Lead and participate in lab safety meetings, risk assessments, and incident reviews

Identify and implement improvements in microbiological safety practices and workflows.

Reporting and Documentation

- Prepare and provide regular reports on team performance, sample throughput, quality

issues, and resource needs to laboratory management.
- Review and approve test results and reports before final release to ensure accuracy,

completeness, and regulatory compliance.
- Ensure complete, organized, and traceable documentation of all testing activities,

validations. and quality records.

EDUCATION, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

- Bachelor's Degree or Technical Diploma in a Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biology, or

related field
- Understanding of microbiology testing methods and laboratory operations

- Experience supervising or leading laboratory staff preferred

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Must speak and write English and have good communication skills

- High level of accuracy and strong attention to detail

- Ability to adapt to different situations and learn quickly

- Ability to work independently, while supporting a collaborative, team-based

department
- Ability to multitask and remain calm under pressure

- Must be proactive, self-disciplined, and able to demonstrate a high level of productivity

with a goal-oriented approach
- Must have an energetic, positive, customer-focused attitude

TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Positive computer skills - proficiency with MS Office

Working knowledge of Laboratory Information management Systems (LIMS)
- Operating and troubleshooting instrumentations and solving cases of questionable

results

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $36.00-$42.00 per hour

Advantages

- Company events
- Dental care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care

Ability to commute/relocate:
- North York, ON M2H 2N8: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person

📌 Microbiology Team Leader Job Description (North York)
🏢 PPB Analytical
📍 North York