Microbiology Lab Supervisor - 1st Shift Altavista, VA Plant

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 Altavista, VA 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.

Altavista, Va., is one of Abbott’s largest nutrition manufacturing plants equipped with advanced technology to ensure efficient production. Working here will make you feel like you’re part of a family that works together to make a difference and help nourish millions of families around the world.

The Microbiology Front Line Leader supervises the activities and resources within the Microbiology Laboratory area to ensure support is provided to meet the department and company goals. Lead the team of technicians who perform the microbiology testing. Manage the operation of microbiology laboratory including developing and implementing microbiology testing: sterility testing, environmental testing (air, surface, fluid, bioburden), bacteria ID, certification of the population of the label claim and new types of biological testing as necessary.

What You’ll Work On

• Responsible for compliance with applicable Corporate and Divisional Policies and procedures.

• Supervises microbiology testing including biological indicator incubation time studies.

• Manages the working schedule within the Microbiology Laboratory.

• Writes protocols and reports (sterilization, bioburden recovery, ETO dissipation etc.).

• Determines new test methods as appropriate.

• Monitors equipment performance and calibration schedules.

• Creates laboratory operation procedures and follows guidelines from regulatory agencies

• Drive a culture of engagement through the team and department. Directly supervises team and participates in staffing activities. Develop all line personnel by securing appropriate training, providing mentoring and assigning progressively challenging stretch responsibilities within the scope of the team and department accountabilities.

• Manage budget accountability for Headcount, Overtime, and direct expenses for a shift and/or line. Track, trend and continuously improve budgetary performance for direct expenses, headcount, overtime (OT), Material Usage Variance (MUV) and Scrap and Cost Improvement Projects (CIP).

• Understand performance drivers and develop and execute plans around improvement of line performance and quality metrics with support from the direct manager. Understand all key performance indicators, driving and executing plans for improvement through team engagement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• 2-5 years of related work experience with a good understanding of specified functional area.

• Working technical knowledge and application of concepts, practices, and procedures.  

• Works on problems of moderate scope where analysis of situations or data requires a review of identifiable factors.  

• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action. 

• Has a broad knowledge of technical alternatives and an understanding of their impact on the systems environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree with 0-2 years of related work experience

Apply Now

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives:  www.abbottbenefits.com

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Military/Veteran friendly Employer, committed to employee diversity.

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