Interim Microbiology Manager
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Job Type: Long-Term Contract (2–3 Months with Possible Extension)
Pay: Up to $76.00/hour
Schedule: Full-Time | 100% Onsite
Lead a Critical GMP Microbiology Operation
Our client is seeking an experienced Interim Microbiology Manager to provide immediate leadership for a GMP microbiology laboratory supporting a sterile drug product manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned microbiology leader who can step into a fast-paced environment, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive laboratory operations while supporting the search for a permanent manager.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the day-to-day operations of the GMP microbiology laboratory and supervise laboratory personnel.
- Oversee environmental monitoring (EM) programs for sterile manufacturing areas.
- Ensure timely execution and review of bioburden, endotoxin, and sterility testing.
- Manage laboratory workload, staffing, testing priorities, and turnaround times.
- Review and support deviations, OOS investigations, CAPAs, change controls, and root cause investigations.
- Ensure compliance with cGMP, Good Documentation Practices (GDP), data integrity requirements, and company procedures.
- Support internal and regulatory inspections while maintaining inspection readiness.
- Partner closely with Quality, Manufacturing, Validation, and Engineering teams.
- Identify compliance or operational gaps and implement effective corrective actions.
- Ensure laboratory analysts are fully trained and qualified to perform assigned testing.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of pharmaceutical microbiology experience.
- 5+ years of leadership or laboratory management experience.
- Strong experience managing a GMP microbiology laboratory.
- Hands-on experience in sterile/aseptic pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Extensive knowledge of:
- Environmental Monitoring (EM)
- Bioburden Testing
- Endotoxin Testing
- Sterility Testing
- Aseptic Processing
- Contamination Control
- EU GMP Annex 1
Experience with:
- Deviations
- OOS Investigations
- CAPAs
- Change Controls
- Regulatory Inspection Readiness