Key responsibilities

• Setting up and supervision of the Microbiology Laboratory

Statutory Duties

• Compliance to statutory requirements
• Coordinates the work of laboratory technicians/analysts
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of results to customers
• Ensure compliance to statutory methodology and Laboratory Quality management system, ISO 17025 procedures and work

Method Validation

• Implementing the method development and validation program/procedures
• Ensure that any changes are made to the methods if necessary
• Analyze statistical data for method validation
• Ensure equipment maintenance and calibration
• Participate in proficiency testing, analyze data and submits results

Quality Control

• Performs Internal Verification of Equipment
• Ensures that the accommodation and environmental conditions of the lab is controlled and records accordingly.
• Maintenance and preservation of cultures
• Implement Sterility protocols
• Checking quality and suitability of chemicals

Technical processes – implementation

• Sample registration – LIMS
• Appropriate storage of samples
• Maintain integrity of samples
• Equipment verification (balances, volumetric flasks, pipettes, autoclave, fume hoods) 
• Prepare and maintain culture media
• Sample preparation – implementation of accredited test methods
• Identify and/or quantify food borne pathogens
• Evaluation and Interpretation of results
• Participation in proficiency testing schemes
• Maintain safety protocols in the laboratory

Meetings

• Participate in meetings with DALRRD
• Participate in meetings with clients

Implementation of QMS (ISO 17025)

• Implement standard QMS protocols
• Consistent and correct application of analytical methods
• Compliance to statutory requirements
• Record all non-conformances observed for further investigation.

Communication, Advising and Reporting

• Comment and report timely on irregularities
• Advise supervisor on achievements and short comings of Lab QMS (ISO 17025)
• Effective communication and reporting that leads to improved internal relationships and decisions
• Ensures that all test results comply with the documented quality control criteria

Administration

• Customer correspondence
• Generating certificates
• Liaising with sales consultants
• Writing submissions
• Invoicing
• Customer account queries
• Recording expenditure and income of the Microbiology laboratory 
• Obtaining quotes for chemicals, standards and consumables and equipment

Finance

• Conformance to financial and control policies