Interim Microbiology Manager

Interim Microbiology Manager

Location: Albuquerque, NM

Job Type: Long-Term Contract (2–3 Months with Possible Extension)

Pay: Up to $76.00/hour

Schedule: Full-Time | 100% Onsite

Lead a Critical GMP Microbiology Operation

Our client is seeking an experienced Interim Microbiology Manager to provide immediate leadership for a GMP microbiology laboratory supporting a sterile drug product manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned microbiology leader who can step into a fast-paced environment, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive laboratory operations while supporting the search for a permanent manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the GMP microbiology laboratory and supervise laboratory personnel.
• Oversee environmental monitoring (EM) programs for sterile manufacturing areas.
• Ensure timely execution and review of bioburden, endotoxin, and sterility testing.
• Manage laboratory workload, staffing, testing priorities, and turnaround times.
• Review and support deviations, OOS investigations, CAPAs, change controls, and root cause investigations.
• Ensure compliance with cGMP, Good Documentation Practices (GDP), data integrity requirements, and company procedures.
• Support internal and regulatory inspections while maintaining inspection readiness.
• Partner closely with Quality, Manufacturing, Validation, and Engineering teams.
• Identify compliance or operational gaps and implement effective corrective actions.
• Ensure laboratory analysts are fully trained and qualified to perform assigned testing.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of pharmaceutical microbiology experience.
• 5+ years of leadership or laboratory management experience.
• Strong experience managing a GMP microbiology laboratory.
• Hands-on experience in sterile/aseptic pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Extensive knowledge of:

• Environmental Monitoring (EM)
• Bioburden Testing
• Endotoxin Testing
• Sterility Testing
• Aseptic Processing
• Contamination Control
• EU GMP Annex 1

Experience with:

• Deviations
• OOS Investigations
• CAPAs
• Change Controls
• Regulatory Inspection Readiness