Laboratory Supervisor – Microbiology (Personal Care)

PLZ is committed to product stewardship and innovation, strong ethical standards, sustainable operations and most importantly, the development of our people. Whether at our manufacturing facilities or corporate headquarters, PLZ prioritizes health and safety, and offers you the support you need to create the career you want, through engagement, equity and inclusion, and opportunity.

From household cleaning solutions to personal care products, and food to automotive lubricants, PLZ produces more than 2,500 different aerosol and liquid products in our facilities across the continent. We know that being the partner of choice for our clients starts with being the partner of choice for our employees. Learn more at www.plzcorp.com/careers or visit https://youtu.be/XYNIFpLQIJY

The Laboratory Supervisor – Microbiology supervises the Riverside microbiology laboratory and serves as its technical lead for cosmetic and over-the-counter products. The role manages personnel, daily testing priorities, laboratory controls, investigations, and audit readiness while performing and reviewing microbiological testing as needed.

Key Responsibility:

• Oversee and perform microbiological testing of raw materials, bulk and finished products, purified water, environmental samples, and other assigned samples using approved methods.
• Ensure microbial enumeration, specified-organism testing, microbial identification, and assessment of objectionable organisms are performed appropriately, and that required incubation, controls, and review are complete before results support release.
• Perform or coordinate preservative effectiveness testing, method suitability studies, and microbiological method validation or verification; review protocols, controls, conclusions, and reports.
• Oversee purified water testing and environmental monitoring, including sampling plans, sampling techniques, alert and action levels, data trending, and escalation of adverse results.
• Control media, reagents, cultures, and test materials, including receipt, storage, traceability, growth promotion, sterility checks, and positive and negative controls before use.
• Coordinate qualification, calibration, maintenance, cleaning, and readiness of microbiology laboratory equipment; ensure equipment records, supplies, and laboratory conditions remain suitable for use.
• Review test records, calculations, plate counts, sample traceability, controls, and electronic data for accuracy and completeness. Ensure original data are retained and records follow ALCOA+ data integrity principles.
• Lead or support out-of-specification, out-of-trend, atypical-result, and environmental or water excursion investigations. Assess product and system impact, document root causes, and control repeat testing and resampling through approved procedures.
• Support deviations, complaints, change controls, corrective and preventive actions, risk assessments, validation, product quality reviews, and effectiveness checks involving microbiological quality.
• Prepare and revise controlled procedures, methods, specifications, sampling plans, protocols, reports, and training materials. Compile microbiological results and trend reports and provide reviewed data for certificates of analysis as applicable.
• Provide microbiology support to Quality, Production, Compounding, R&D, and other departments. Coordinate external laboratory testing and sample shipments and maintain assigned microbiology samples and records under approved retention requirements.
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits by providing records, explaining microbiology procedures and laboratory controls, and completing assigned corrective actions.
• Enforce applicable cGMP, good laboratory practices, laboratory safety, biosafety, PPE, housekeeping, and waste-disposal procedures. Escalate product, personnel, equipment, and compliance risks to the Quality Manager.
• Participate in special projects, nonroutine microbiological testing, and continuous improvement activities; perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, biology, biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline preferred.
• 3+ years of relevant microbiology laboratory experience or equivalent education and experience; regulated cosmetic, OTC, pharmaceutical, or related manufacturing experience preferred.
• Experience with method suitability or validation, investigations, CAPA, controlled documents, training, and audits required. Bilingual English and Spanish skills preferred.
• Experience using and navigating ERP systems, including SAP, preferred.

• Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with Production, Compounding, R&D, Maintenance, Regulatory, and Quality personnel.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience using ERP, electronic quality, or laboratory systems; SAP experience is preferred.

• Previous laboratory leadership, supervisory, or lead experience preferred.
• Experience in cosmetics, personal care, aerosol, pharmaceutical, or OTC manufacturing strongly preferred.

Compensation:

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $75,000 in our lowest geographic market up to $110,000 in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Dependent on the position offered, other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits.

PLZ Corp offers a robust suite of benefits Including:

• Medical, Dental & Vision benefits.
• Company paid for Life and Short-Term disability.
• Voluntary benefits include additional life, disability, and hospital/accident insurance.
• 401k & company provided match.
• Paid Time Off
• Bonus incentive programs (Note, bonuses are subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance.)

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or other protected status. EEOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.