Microbiologist

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 team member with a experience and direct background in quality testing and microbiology who is highly motivated, has a great desire to learn, is a quick learner, competent, meticulous, tech-savvy with excellent communication and organizational skills, personable, and proactive who is also willing to wear multiples hats and embrace a "can-do" attitude to join our laboratory.

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, accountable, and amazing team! The successful candidate has the drive to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressured work environment. This is an excellent mid-level position for professionals the field of microbiology who wish to grow professionally in a third-party laboratory industry. 

JOB DESCRIPTION:

This position reports to the Team Lead or Lab Manager. While working closely with ARL leadership team and under the supervision of the director, you will be responsible for the following primary duties and responsibilities:

• Read and interpret microbiological results by established and USP methods.


• Maintain instrumentation.


• Pass all required proficiency tests.


• 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.


• Closely monitor retesting and timely reporting of results on a daily basis.


• Ensure all results are reported on time, every time.


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


• Engage in professional development and complete required managerial trainings.


• 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 month-end reporting to leadership team.


• Ability and willingness to cover any shift, whenever needed.


• Ensure the laboratory operates safely according to established policies and procedures.


• Work closely and collaboratively with 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.


• Perform granular investigations as appropriate to assist with responding to client inquiries (i.e., OOS results, missing data, etc.).


• 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.


• Mentor junior analysts and/or technicians


• Advise operations on industry testing requirements and standards


• Follow all administrative protocols for purchasing, Human Resources, and legal compliance.


• Write, review, and revise SOP’s whenever assigned.


• When necessary and appropriate, work closely with team leads to assist in writing, reviewing, and revising SOP’s.


• Train and keep track of training for Micro Lab team.


• Set personal OKRs and KPIs and report to lead and manager


• Participate in weekly or bi-weekly 1-on-1 sessions and bi-annual performance reviews 
  


• Take ownership of areas of stewardship, ensuring the objectives of the lab and mission of the company are fulfilled


• 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 Sales & Partnerships team with technical communication and potential recommendations for new and experienced partners, a future online FAQ, and be able to translate technical terms into more discernible understanding.


• 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.
  


• Harmonize professional stewardship with ARL vision, culture, values, and policies, as identified in the Team Handbook and by ARL leadership.
  


• Execute best practices and judgment in increasing overall team morale.


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


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

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPI)

• On-time rating (calculated on testing services and results reporting meeting due dates, if not requiring additional testing). Goal: 99%


• Limited number of quality control failures. Goal: 0


• Limit need to push or delay sample testing due to missing or expire inventory. Goal: 0


• Limit number of critical incidents requiring incident report. Goal: 0


• Successful completion of managerial trainings: 100%


• Successful completion of proficiency tests: 100%

MINIMUM JOB EXPECTATIONS:

• Able to converse fluently in English, verbally and in writing.


• Competency in industry-specific or industry-related laboratory techniques and procedures.


• Be able to lift at least 50lbs.


• Willingness and ability to travel to manage satellite labs


• Able to work within a schedule that allows for testing to be completed and reported on time.


• Must be able to work at least 5 days a week onsite (This is not a remote work position.)


• Will work weekends whenever assigned on a rotational basis.


• Available to cover shifts in any area of stewardship whenever necessary, and be the first line of defense.


• Good understanding of laboratory information systems and laboratory equipment.


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


• Comply with ARL quality protocols.


• 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.

HIRING REQUIREMENTS

The successful candidate has the drive to thrive in a fast-paced, high pressured work environment. Additionally, the candidate should demonstrate the following background, skills, abilities, and qualities, and availability:

• Minimum of 3 years of full-time direct experience in reading and interpreting microbiological testing results by USP 61/62 and USP 2021/2022 methods, preferably in the dietary supplement industry, and experience with ISO 17025 accreditation
  


• Preferred: 1 year of leadership and mentoring experience in laboratory operations and/or quality and DEA regulations


• Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Food Science, Genetics, or a related field of science
  


• Minimum Experience: 4 years of in-depth knowledge and advanced knowledge of laboratory techniques and advanced understanding of laboratory procedures


• Willing to work weekends whenever assigned on a rotational basis
  


• Willing to work unpredictable hours to ensure testing is completed and reported on time


• Exemplary work ethic and time management


• Demonstrated experience in professional presentations


• Demonstrated experience in conducting successful team trainings and passing required proficiency tests


• Track record of successful multi-tasking


• Track record of successful team mobilization and leadership


• Track record of being a team player


• Track record of successful project management


• Track record of excellent organizational skills


• Proven working knowledge of areas of stewardship


• Clear understanding of the importance of maintaining a clean workspace by following approved procedures and laboratory regulations for testing, health, and safety


• Ability to communicate professionally and work collaboratively with all levels of leadership, across departments and management group, and with team members


• Demonstrate willingness, versatility, and flexibility to grow with a growing company


• Demonstrate ability to balance team advocacy with the best interest of the company


• Demonstrate ability to successfully fulfill and represent company's vision, goals, objectives, and culture

COMPENSATION COMMENSURATES WITH INDUSTRY-RELATED EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP ROLE.

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.