Quality Manager, Cork

Eurofins Scientific is an international life sciences company, which provides a unique range of analytical testing services to clients across multiple industries. The Group believes it is the world leader in food, environment, 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 for supporting clinical studies. In addition, Eurofins is one of the leading global emerging players in specialty clinical diagnostic testing.

In 2022, Eurofins generated 6.515 billion Euro proforma turnover in 900 laboratories across 62 countries, employing about 62,000 staff.

Job Description

The Quality Manager at our Cork site is responsible for managing and developing the quality system and ensuring continued compliance with INAB, ISO 17025, regulatory and Eurofins quality systems across all aspects of laboratory activities. Providing mentoring, training, guidance and support to laboratory departments to achieve effective implementation of Quality System requirements. Proactively assisting management with technical and operational development to ensure both business objectives and customer requirements are consistently delivered. 

Main Quality responsibilities will include:

• Day to day management, development and maintenance of the Quality Management System including Quality Manual and all related and supporting documents ensuring a compliant and fit for purpose system is in operation across all areas
• Supporting role in developing company policies to meet accreditation, Eurofins and customer requirements
• Actively support process improvement, and streamlining initiatives across all Irish Eurofins Food Testing sites
• Provide support and council to Quality Management in other Eurofins Food Testing sites across Ireland
• Support process digitalisation projects currently underway at Eurofins Food Testing Ireland
• Ensure accreditation is maintained and act as liaison with regulatory bodies including INAB
• Develop and nurture a strong quality ethos across all areas of the business ensuring a “right first time” approach
• Manage requests and communication regarding external and customer audits
• Managing the internal audit schedule including test method witness audits. Undertaking internal audits and proactively coordinating completion of any corrective and preventive actions including undertaking technical investigations and ‘root cause’ analysis in the event of any failure
• Managing the Document Control system, ensuring procedures are regularly reviewed & aligned across departments
• Manage Non-Conforming Work Log and ensure actions are implemented to schedule and effective in ensuring non recurrence of issues
• Supporting the individual departments with preparation of validation protocols, statistical analysis, validation reports, procedures and other documentation as well as co-ordination of submissions for Extension to Scope
• Coordinating the Equipment Calibration schedules liaising with the individual departments and external suppliers. Assist with performance of internal calibration checks
• Co-ordinating participation in External Proficiency schemes, to ensure that the scope of accreditation is effectively covered across all testing disciplines
• Proactively monitoring and reviewing overall performance of both internal quality control systems and External PT scheme across the departments and along with senior staff, initiate and support investigations into failures, trend and bias to establish root cause and the implementation of effective corrective and preventive actions
• Maintain reference documents, legislation and reference methods as applicable to accredited activities
• Co-ordinate and prepare submissions for monthly Quality Meetings and Annual Management Review, ensuring that detailed reports, minutes and action plans are documented and effectively managed and progressed
• Supporting training of personnel in Quality System and Technical Procedures, including induction training for new employees
• Assist with subcontractor and supplier management

Main Technical responsibilities will include:

• Collate all relevant technical and service requirements from customers in relation to such projects and effectively communicate this information to all relevant parties
• Assist with project management and proactively track progress of multiple jobs and projects both internally and with partner subcontractor laboratories
• Work closely with all laboratory departments on customer projects/non routine samples to ensure on time delivery
• Develop strong working relationships with key account customers and assist with account management activities including business development
• Co-ordinate subcontracted testing to ensure on time delivery of customer technical requirements
• Provide technical, project management and reporting support for retailer projects 

Other General responsibilities will include:

• Provide a high level of customer service and maintain working knowledge of relevant legislation, industry standards and trends
• Exercise a sound commercial and financial awareness to help reduce expenditure and maintain costs within the required budget requirements
• Assist with ensuring efficient and accurate registration and handling of samples through the departments and with partner laboratories
• Acting as an Authorised Signatory for Test Certificates where required, report all results in a format required by the customer, providing relevant technical support as appropriate. 
• Have an active role is developing the capability and range of testing provided by the Laboratory to support profitable growth
• Uphold client confidence in the accuracy and response times of testing
• Supporting the laboratory with performance efficiencies to deliver continuous improvement in various operational and customer KPIs including - on time delivery, customer service, quality and health and safety
• Work with the Cork management team to develop and exceed key performance indicators, deliver budget and growth strategy for the site
• Daily monitoring of overdue samples, ensuring any issues identified are promptly investigated and actioned
• Work with senior management and staff to ensure that the best interests of the company and continual improvement of the quality systems are achieved
• Preparing monthly reports for senior management and escalating any critical and major issues in a timely manner
• Liaising with the sales team to provide contract support as required
• Proactively assist with and propose innovative solutions to support the ongoing technical and operational development of the department to ensure the consistent delivery of excellent standards of service to customers by operating the laboratory in the most professional, efficient and cost-effective manner while maintaining highest standards of quality and health and safety.
• Assist with co-ordination and liaison with relevant external accreditation or regulatory bodies (e.g., INAB, HPRA) and represent the company during customer and regulatory audits.
• Supporting training of personnel in Quality System and Technical Procedures, including induction training for new employees
• Supporting with timely investigation of customer complaints, queries and other sources of non-conforming work
• Assist with implementation of H&S policies and procedures and co-ordination of H&S activities across all departments
• Reference document and relevant legislation reviews
• Any other duties deemed applicable and required to support the effective operations of the business and the implementation of the quality management system
• Complying with all aspects of Eurofins H&S policy
• Uphold and maintain confidentiality at all times

Qualifications

What you'll need to succeed

• Minimum 2 years’ experience within a similar role.
• BSc in a Life Science (chemistry, microbiology, food science, etc.)
• Technically computer competent, with some basic science background.
• Highly motivated, professional and enthusiastic individual who can work well within a busy multi-disciplinary technical environment as well as under their own initiative.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritise, organise and co-ordinate your own workload.
• Excellent organisational skills and good commercial acumen.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Additional Information

Join our team at Eurofins Food Testing Ireland - We offer a competitive package! This is a full-time, permanent role - 39 hours per week. Offering an initial 22 days annual leave, plus 10 days bank holidays. We offer a competitive salary, a contributory pension scheme and exceptional healthcare provision (after a 6 month probationary period), plus complimentary life assurance.

Perks of working at Eurofins Food Testing Ireland! Free Parking. We are on a convenient bus route (with a bus stop outside our Little Island site). Sports and Social Club. Bike to Work Scheme. Employee Assistance Programme and an emphasis on employee wellness.

We support your development!  Eurofins are committed to supporting your career development. We offer training and development and the opportunity to progress in a growing and ambitious company. We embrace diversity!Eurofins network of companies believe in strength and innovation through diversity, being an Equal Opportunity Employer. We prohibit discrimination against employees or applications based on gender identity and/or expression, race, nationality, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and everything else that makes employees of Eurofins companies unique. Sustainability matters to us!We are well on our way to achieving our objective of carbon neutrality by 2025, through a combination of emission reduction and compensation initiatives. We encourage our laboratory leaders to make sustainable changes at their local level, and in addition to their initiatives we also count on our dedicated carbon reduction team to help us to achieve this goal!

Life at Eurofins is different! We want you to succeed and fulfil your potential. We don’t tie anyone to a tightly structured career path; instead, we create an environment where you can make your own decisions, prove yourself and advance quickly. Above all, we’re a meritocracy, promoting people based on talent and results, whatever their background.

Become your most extraordinary self at Eurofins Food Testing Ireland with support and development throughout your career.