Micro Team Lead

Analytical Resource Laboratories (ARL) is a third-party contract laboratory specializing in microbiological and chemical testing of food, cosmetics, and dietary supplements. ARL has been offering analytical testing services for 23 years. We are looking for a Micro Team Lead with at least 2 years of industry experience in microbiology or closely related fields, who is highly motivated, has great desire to learn, competent, meticulous, tech-savvy with excellent communication and organizational skills, strong social and emotional intelligence, high level of accountability, and who is a proactive individual willing to wear multiples hats and embrace a "can-do" attitude. 

Our team is seeking a team player who can thrive in a fast-paced and high pressured work environment to join our robust, hardworking, intelligent, responsible, adaptive, positive, and amazing team! The successful candidate has the drive to thrive in a fast-paced, high pressured work environment. 

JOB DESCRIPTION:

While working closely with and under the supervision of the Laboratory Manager, you will be responsible for the following primary duties and responsibilities:

• Establish appropriate work scheduling for the team to ensure testing is completed on time, every time
  


• Ensure that all testing is completed and reported on time


• Communicate issues with testing or timely reporting immediately with Partnerships to avoid risks to client expectations


• Report OSHA injuries and train team members to do so in a timely manner


• Perform 1-on-1 check-ins with team members
  


• Read and interpret microbiological results using established and USP methods

• Coordinate maintenance instrumentation
  


• Assign personnel to appropriate duties in order to optimize employee growth and retention, team productivity, client demand and satisfaction, and overall team efficiency, in compliance with employment laws and ARL HR policies


• Maintain knowledge, skills, capability, and availability to fill any role and responsibility within areas of supervision, whenever necessary

• Participate in all performance reviews under the direction of and in collaboration with the lab manager and director


• Communicate and manage project tasks with the team


• Document all performance issues as dictated by ARL HR policies, and report to manager


• Engage in professional development and leaders training


• Maintain active, visible presence, and engagement in the laboratory, in order to stay well-versed and well-informed in all operations and/or issues under stewardship


• Communicate with ARL leadership team on all issues and developments pertaining to laboratory practices and operations, and provide timely reporting to manager

• Work closely and collaboratively with lab manager and QA/QC team to investigate non-conformities for operations of the Micro Lab, and execute timely corrective actions to resolve all issues


• Ensure Microbiology personnel adheres to all Quality and Operations SOP's and policies


• Participate in operations, safety, quality audits, and accreditation preparation for the Microbiology Lab


• Engage in granular investigations as appropriate 


• Maintain accurate and current inventory list according to the needs and demands of testing services


• Ensure timely procurement of appropriate laboratory supplies, equipment, and instrumentation for executing testing within areas of stewardship

• Take ownership of areas of stewardship by facilitating lead-led improvement projects and reports


• Maintain a state of organization, cleanliness, and audit readiness in the Micro Lab


• Demonstrate accountability and responsibility for all areas of stewardship by being an active team player


• Assist Partnerships team to further refine and implement best practices to alert clients of any potential delays and/or suspect testing in an effective and timely manner


• Cultivate an environment of exceptionalism and pride in the work we do at ARL by demonstrating the highest level of professionalism, work ethic, teamwork, fairness, timeliness, respect, leadership presence, accountability, responsiveness, and two-way communication


• Perform and document team member check-ins on a regular (at least once a month) basis to stay current on team progress, welfare, and safety


• Harmonize leadership practices and routine operations with ARL vision, culture, values, and policies, as identified in the Team Handbook and by ARL leadership


• Practice ARL's leadership concept, and apply across your area of stewardship


• Represent ARL's mission of "Experience. Professionalism. Value"


• Be an example of ARL's values as described in the employee handbook


• Execute best practices and judgment in increasing team morale


• Be in compliance with ARL's human resource policies and procedures in executing management decisions and managerial practices


• Attend all leadership functions, when invited


• Complete leadership and HR policy trainings in a satisfactory manner, as assigned

• Attend all necessary and scheduled meeting and trainings, as assigned


• Complete other related responsibilities, as assigned by the manager and/or director.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS:

• At least 2 years of industry experience with broad understanding, specific experience, and strong competency in every testing conducted by ARL's Microbiology lab


• Be able to fulfill the essential functions of your job responsibilities, including regular attendance, with or without reasonable accommodation.


• All full-time positions will range between 40 to 45 hours of work a week, depending on demand. Work hours may increase beyond the expected range due to stewardship. These are the expectations of this leadership position. Your compensation has been offered based on the possibility of unpredictable hours. Exempt positions are ineligible for overtime pay beyond 40 hours in a workweek. 


• Ability to meet all OKRs and KPIs for this position within the first 90 days in a satisfactory manner (Markers listed below.)


• Ability to continually meet all OKRs and KPIs for stewardship in a satisfactory manner that supports ARL's annual OKRs


• Attend all leadership development, as determined by the People Team


• Good understanding of laboratory information systems and laboratory equipment


• Abide by ARL's drug testing, background check, and drug-free policies


• Follow work schedule and attendance/time off requirements


• Comply with ARL's values and workplace policies


• Communicate professionally with team members and leadership to resolve any issues


• Contribute to a positive and ethical work environment


• Follow established and proper procedure for conflict resolution


• Able to handle fast-paced, high-pressured work demands with confidence and professionalism


• In-depth knowledge and advanced knowledge of laboratory techniques and advanced understanding of laboratory procedures


• Knowledge of metric system, scientific applications, experimental design, and data evaluation Clear understanding of the importance of maintaining a clean workspace by following approved procedures and laboratory regulations for testing, health, and safety


• Critical and analytical thinking


• Ability to work in GMP/GLP environment


• Excellent ability to keep calm under pressure and stay focused to successfully fulfill responsibilities Ability to maintain and build team morale at all times


• Ability to skillfully and professionally adapt to changing demands


• Ability to lift 30 to 50 lbs.


• Strong attention to detail


• Responsibility and accountability


• Strong work and professional ethics


• Excellent communication


• Commitment to and history of compliance with rules, procedures, policies, and regulations 


• Able to skillfully and professionally adapt to changing scheduling and procedural demands 


• Able to adhere to turn around times and deadlines


• Commitment to building excellence and being an active contributor to a growing laboratory


• Passing all proficiency testing throughout employment


• Satisfactory reference checks

• Execution of confidentiality and non-compete/non-solicitation agreements 


• Satisfactory proof of legal authorization to work in the United States
  

REQUIRED ACHIEVEMENT OF 90-DAY KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS/MARKERS:

Note: While dates may vary depending on start date, timeframes/timelines will be the same. Below is a KPI timeline.

30 Days: 
- On-time rating: 95% 
- OOS reports/retest reports: < 5 by the end of day 
- Training records: Each new team member’s training record is signed off in 30 days 
- Scheduling: 1 schedule plan for both day and night crew per week – showing OOO, coverage, and weekend scheduling. 

- 1-on-1: 1 hour per person per month 
- Lab meeting: once a week 

- Successfully complete and pass 3 leadership development modules assigned and/or conducted by ARL People Team
- Check in with Micro lab manager daily, communicate with partnership and other department as needed. 
 
60 Days: 
- On-time rating: 95% 
- OOS reports/retest reports: < 5 by the end of day 
- Missing result check: daily (including marking samples delayed and suspect) 
- Training records: Each new team member’s training record is signed off in 30 days 
- Scheduling: 1 schedule plan for both day and night crew per week – showing OOO, coverage, and weekend scheduling. 

- on-1: 1 hour per person per month 
- Lab meeting: once a week 

- Successfully complete and pass 3 leadership development modules assigned and/or conducted by ARL People Team

- Check in with Micro lab manager daily, communicate with partnership and other department as needed. 
 
90 Days:

On-time rating: 95% 
OOS reports/retest reports: < 5 by the end of day 
Missing result check: daily (including marking samples delayed and suspect) 
Lab logbooks check: Make sure tasks are completed and logbooks are reviewed 
Training records: Each new team member’s training record is signed off in 30 days 
Scheduling: 1 schedule plan for both day and night crew per week – showing OOO, coverage, and weekend scheduling. 

on-1: 1 hour per person per month 
Lab meeting: once a week 

Successfully complete and pass 3 leadership development modules assigned and/or conducted by ARL People Team

Check in with Micro lab manager daily, communicate with partnership and other department as needed. 

COMPENSATION RATE DEPENDENT ON RELEVANT INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

ABOUT ARL

Analytical Resource Laboratories LLC is a third-party quality testing laboratory in the food, cosmetics, dietary supplements, and pharmaceutical industry. It was established on January 1, 2000. In 2015, ARL partnered with Tentamus North America, Inc., a network of laboratories headquarter in Germany, to form International Contract Laboratories, LLC. We celebrate 22 years of serving the industry. We offer microbiology and chemistry testing services, as well as method development, to manufacturers, retailers, raw material providers, and even consumers. On June 1, 2021, ARL acquired EuTech Scientific Services, Inc. ARL laboratories are located in Utah, Arizona, Florida, and New Jersey. We continue to grow and expand to serve our partners across the United States.
ARL’s motto of “Doing it right, on time, every time,” not only means executing the right work to produce quality results professionally but doing what is right legally, morally, and ethically. Our greatest strength is in walking the moral high ground that drives our work, relationships, character, and leadership. They are reflected in the way we build our success and in the way we treat each other and our colleagues in the business, even our competitors. Doing it right is what sets us apart.

VISION

“To be the best quality lab in the industry founded on a championship culture of leaders who inspire good and elevate life wherever we go, doing what we exist to do”

MISSION

We exist to provide experience, professionalism, and value in world-leading analytical testing services at the highest level of integrity, reliability, timeliness, and accuracy by the best and greatest people. 

VALUES 

Experience: We stand for the highest level of performance, proficiency, and drive because ...

… we perfect our craft and seek learning anywhere, anytime.

… we don’t just avoid errors; we achieve excellence.

… we state our intentions and take deliberate actions.

… we embrace change and better ways of thinking.

This is how we do it right.

Professionalism: We manifest total commitment to doing our absolute best because …

… we exercise integrity, honesty, and transparency.

… we are effective, accountable, and reliable.

… we demonstrate that leadership is an active choice, not a passive position. 

… we deliver accuracy and quality in all our work.

… we take ownership of our stewardship.

This is who we are.

Value: We empower ourselves to bring value to those whose lives we impact by …

… building bridges of partnerships and service.

… inspiring moral discipline and character.

… creating authentic chemistry in our relationships.

… elevating the world through the results of our work.

The world is a better place because we are here. 

OUR WORK

We often hear the phrase “Don’t overpromise and under-deliver.” We do not make promises we cannot keep and represent what we aren’t. ARL is committed to truth and honesty. In our partnerships, our on-time timeline is driven by professional ethics to do the right work to produce correct results. We strive to fulfill the quality needs of our partners by setting reasonable expectations and realistic results. In our journey with our team, we do the same. No, we do not overpromise and under-deliver. Our goal is to deliver the unexpected. We set performance standards and realistic expectations for growth from advancement to progression. When you grow, we grow. When you perform, we deliver. We want you to trust that we will take your needs seriously without sacrificing integrity. It is the same conviction we take to our partners. There is no double standard.

OUR RELATIONSHIPS

When we say we care, we actually do something about it. We personally care about our success and how we serve yours. ARL is available for our partners as best as humanly possible, but we are present any time for our people. We make people care our priority, personally and inherently. Our commitment to long-lasting relationships started long before you joined our team. This is not just business for us; it is who we are. Doing it right and doing what is right are our creed to build a better everything for you and for the ARL family.

OUR CHARACTER

ARL’s team is hand-picked. Our team is a team of abundant thinkers. We think big. We think plenty, not empty. The strength of our performance comes from an attitude of gratitude and a marathon of moral altitude. Non-abundant thinkers don’t last. Our identity in the profession go hand in hand with our core values. While the work that we do are founded on expertise, knowledge, proficiency, and experience, we stake our professional dealings on integrity, charity, respect, and all that is ethical, right, and true. Our people strive to exemplify a higher standard and choose to take the better path. This means we do not sacrifice long-term relationships for short-term gains. We do not seek to win at any cost.. Rather, we seek to do it right by our people, our partners, and our planet. At ARL, we understand the importance of never burning a bridge. (We never know when we might have to cross that bridge again.) It is reflected in our external behavior and practices in developing trust in our professional and personal relationships within our team, with our partners, and with our community.

OUR LEADERSHIP

We seek to build a team of leader-leaders. Our goal is to give you the tools to be technically competent so that we can trust you to actively and effectively deliver results at the level we seek to achieve. More importantly, we want you to be able to embrace your stewardship and take your place in our team so that you can achieve a sense of meaning and purpose in your work. Leader-leaders don’t wait for growth to happen. Leader-leaders bring stability to chaos. They seek out weaknesses and turn them to strengths. They don’t sit in the cart as someone else pushes and pull to the finish line. They put their shoulders to the wheel because they can and because they will. Leader-leaders at ARL make things happen. Leader-leaders keep a positive eye on possibilities and opportunities to grow our work, our relationships, our character, and our potential for leadership. 

We treat fumbles and tumbles as opportunities to become stronger than we were the day before. Our focus is on building, maintaining, and supporting a team that does it right, on time, every time, and delivering the unexpected. This is the cornerstone of who we are.

If you resonate with our philosophy, we just might be the lab for you. Send us your application.