Supervisor, Microbiology

Supervisor, Microbiology in Albuquerque, NM

Build your future at Curia, where our work has the power to save lives.

Curia is a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with over 30 years of experience partnering with pharmaceutical and biotech companies to provide life-saving treatments to patients. At Curia, we are on a mission to advance our customers’ therapies from curiosity to cure and ultimately to improve patients’ lives.

We proudly offer

• Generous benefit options (eligible first day of employment) 
• Paid training, vacation and holidays (vacation accrual begins on first day of employment)
• Career advancement opportunities 
• Education reimbursement
• 401K program with matching contributions
• Learning platform
• And more! 

The Microbiology Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the microbiology laboratory, including scheduling and directing the work of analysts and technicians. This role ensures compliance with cGMP requirements, company policies, and regulatory standards by coordinating microbiological testing, environmental monitoring, and laboratory studies. The Supervisor provides technical expertise, training, and guidance to laboratory staff; monitors equipment performance and laboratory supplies; and supports investigations, audits, and cross-functional initiatives. Additionally, the Microbiology Supervisor collaborates closely with the Microbiology Manager and other departments to maintain laboratory readiness, ensure data integrity, and drive continuous improvement within the microbiology function.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supervise daily operations of the microbiology laboratory, including scheduling, task assignments, and coordination of analysts and technicians.
• Ensure completion of microbiological testing, environmental monitoring, and isolate identification in compliance with cGMP, regulatory standards, and company procedures.
• Train, mentor, and qualify laboratory staff in microbiological test methods, equipment operation, and proper documentation practices; assist with onboarding of temporary personnel as needed.
• Monitor laboratory equipment performance, troubleshoot technical issues, and escalate unresolved problems to the Microbiology Manager.
• Oversee inventory of reagents, media, and test materials; ensure aseptic preparation, timely ordering, and accurate documentation.
• Review and approve attendance records, vacation schedules, and other administrative requirements; implement corrective or disciplinary actions when necessary.
• Prepare, revise, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), protocols, and related documentation.
• Coordinate specialized laboratory activities, including quarterly gamma sterilization dose audits, BI qualification, bioburden audits, and routine analyses (e.g., growth promotion, water testing, biennial biological indicators).
• Perform and review cGMP documentation and calculations; prepare preliminary investigations and provide support for full investigations as required.
• Support the Microbiology Manager during internal, customer, and regulatory audits; provide technical input and ensure laboratory readiness.
• Partner with cross-functional groups, including R&D, Technical Services, and the Laboratory Systems Supervisor, to support laboratory initiatives and company projects.
• Prepare study protocols, summary reports, and other documentation as requested by the Microbiology Manager or Associate Director, Laboratories.
• Promote continuous improvement within the microbiology laboratory by identifying opportunities to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and uphold quality standards.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Read/interpret SOPs to ensure compliance
• Maintain up to date trainings
• Other duties as assigned

Education and/or Experience                                                        

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline, preferably microbiology or related field 
• Minimum of three (3) years related work experience
• Minimum of two (2) years in a leadership role
• Experienced and proficient in the validation/qualification of lab microbiological techniques
• Minimum of two (2) years industry experience in a GMP or GLP environment, preferred
• Previous experience with pharmaceutical cleanroom environments, preferred
• Working knowledge of GMPs/pharmaceutical environments is desirable

Supervisory Responsibilities:                                                            

This role is responsible for leading and supporting a team, overseeing day-to-day operations, managing departmental goals, and ensuring adherence to organizational policies and procedures. This role also involves fostering a positive work environment, providing guidance and support to your team members, and evaluating performance to drive continuous improvement and achieve both departmental and organizational objectives.

Language Skills:                                                        

The ideal candidate should have the ability to read and interpret various documents. These documents include safety instructions, standard operating procedures, technical procedures, and governmental regulations. Additionally, the candidate should possess strong written and verbal communication skills. They should also possess effective presentation skills, enabling them to successfully present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills:                                                               

Proficient in executing arithmetic operations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division across various units of measurement, employing whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages. Candidates must possess a strong grasp of algebraic and geometric principles.                                     

Reasoning Ability:                                                  

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills:                                                    

The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical foundation and proven capability in effectively utilizing diverse software tools to streamline the organization's daily functions. Essential skills encompass adeptness in manufacturing and internet software, alongside proficiency in Microsoft Office tools including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Other Skills and Abilities:                                                                

• Leads with integrity and respect
• Provides guidance, coaching, and mentorship to team members
• Demonstrates business acumen
• Fosters a collaborative and positive work environment
• Champions change
• Coaches and Develops
• Promotes a safe and healthy work environment by actively identifying and addressing potential hazards, following established safety protocols, participating in safety training programs, and fostering a culture of awareness and responsibility among team members.
• Demonstrates strong attention to detail
• Ability to organize a time to successfully manage multiple projects and priorities
• Ability to read, understand, interpret and implement technical writing and instructions
• Effective interpersonal relation skills, while maintaining the adaptability to achieve company goals
• Verbally expresses ideas and facts in a clear, logical, concise, and accepted grammatical style

Other Qualifications:

• Must pass a background check
• Must pass a drug screen 
• May be required to pass Occupational Health Screening
• May be required to obtain and maintain gowning certification 

• May be required to obtain and maintain media qualification

  
       

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The essential physical demands will vary for each Curia position. 

All positions may require regular or occasional lifting, pushing and pulling up to 10 pounds, frequently; up to 25 pounds occasionally; and up to 50 pounds infrequently.  Additionally, all positions entail regular sitting, standing and reaching, with some roles requiring prolonged periods of time for each activity.  Visual acuity, both close and distant, along with depth perception is necessary in each role, with or without corrective lenses.  Please note that employees are prohibited from wearing contact lenses in work areas with exposure to cleaning agents.  Hand and finger dexterity are integral to all positions, with specific activities varying from typing to manipulating maintenance tools or operating keypads, switches, and buttons.  Occasional stooping, kneeling, twisting, crouching, crawling and balancing are also part of each position’s physical requirements.  Certain roles may involve climbing and working at elevated heights as well.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics, described below, are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The working environments will vary for each Curia position. The employee may be required to work in an office, manufacturing, or warehouse environment. 

The office environment is designed for comfort and productivity, with room temperature settings maintained for optimal working conditions.  It is common to hear conversational noise in the background. 

The pharmaceutical manufacturing environment is sterile.  Therefore, aseptic gowning is required.  Personal protective equipment (nitrile gloves, clean room socks, face-shields, safety glasses, aprons, steel-toed shoes and powered air purifying respirators) is necessary, depending upon the task at hand.  The employee may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, confined areas, and refrigerator or freezer temperatures when working in a sterile environment. 

The warehouse environment is typically set at a controlled temperature but the employee may be exposed to refrigerator or freezer temperatures when retrieving materials. 

Some positions may occasionally be exposed to moving mechanical parts, elevated heights, airborne particles, electrical activities and vibration. In addition, some positions may work with or be exposed to, compressed gases and must wear ear protection. 

All environments may be subject to working with or being exposed to cleaning agents. 

Education, experience, location and tenure may be considered along with internal equity when job offers are extended.

We do not accept unsolicited assistance from any headhunters or recruitment firms for any of our job openings. All resumes or profiles submitted by search firms to any employee at Curia, in any form without a valid, signed search agreement by an authorized signatory in place for the specific position, approved by Talent Acquisition, will be deemed the sole property of Curia. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Curia because of the unsolicited referral.

All interested applicants must apply online. Please be aware of scammers. Curia will only send offer letters and requests for sensitive personal information from a curiaglobal.com email address. Curia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Curia is an E-Verify employer.