Microbiology jobs

Fitz Scientific is a world class monitoring and testing team that meet and exceed customer expectations. Based in Drogheda Co. Louth we are seeking to recruit a Quality Manager.

Role Summary

The Quality Manager is responsible for maintaining, improving and promoting the laboratory’s quality management system to ensure ongoing compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 and all relevant regulatory, customer and accreditation requirements. The role supports the reliability, integrity and continuous improvement of laboratory and field operations, ensuring that results are delivered with a high degree of confidence and that processes are efficient, controlled and audit ready.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and continually improve the laboratory quality management system in line with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.
• Ensure laboratory policies, procedures, methods, forms and records are controlled, current and effectively implemented.
• Plan, coordinate and conduct internal audits, and support external assessments by accreditation bodies and customers.
• Manage non-conforming work, deviations, corrective actions and preventive actions, ensuring timely root cause analysis and follow-up.
• Coordinate management reviews, quality metrics and quality objectives, and report on system performance to senior management.
• Oversee document control, record retention and change control processes across laboratory operations.
• Support method validation, verification and measurement uncertainty activities where required.
• Monitor quality control data, proficiency testing, interlaboratory comparisons and trend analysis to identify improvement opportunities.
• Manage customer complaints, quality incidents and audit findings through to effective resolution.
• Ensure reference materials, calibration records and traceability requirements are properly controlled.
• Deliver training and guidance to staff on quality procedures, good laboratory practice and compliance expectations.
• Promote a culture of quality, process discipline and continuous improvement throughout the organisation.
• Work closely with technical and operational teams to improve workflow efficiency, reduce errors and strengthen process consistency.
• Support customer and third-party audits, site visits and quality-related technical queries.

Process Improvement Responsibilities

• Review laboratory workflows and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, turnaround times and process robustness.
• Develop and implement process controls, standard work practices and improvement initiatives.
• Use quality data and operational KPIs to monitor performance and drive continual improvement projects.
• Collaborate with laboratory management to support capacity planning, training effectiveness and process standardisation.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in science, chemistry, environmental science, microbiology or a related discipline.
• Proven experience in a quality, process or laboratory management role within a testing or calibration laboratory.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 and accreditation requirements.
• Experience managing audits, corrective actions, document control and quality investigations.
• Understanding of laboratory quality control practices, method validation and traceability principles.
• Experience in regulated laboratory, environmental, food, pharmaceutical or related sectors would be advantageous.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong organisational and documentation skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and root cause investigation skills.
• Ability to influence teams and promote quality standards across teams.
• Confident communicator with the ability to engage with people, management, customers and auditors.
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, compliance and continuous improvement.
• Computer literate with competence in MS office and QMS software
• Competent in audits and complex data analysis
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Conscientious, honest and respectful
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Adaptable and flexible
• Active involvement in previous accreditation inspection(s) would be desirable

Key Objective of the Role

To ensure the laboratory’s management system remains effective, compliant and continuously improving, while supporting the delivery of technically valid results and efficient, high-quality laboratory operations.

Pay: From €55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Bike to work scheme
• Company events
• Employee assistance program
• Gym membership
• On-site parking

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Drogheda, County Louth: reliably commute or be willing to relocate with an employer-provided relocation package (required)

Education:

• Bachelor's (preferred)

Experience:

• Quality Management : 4 years (required)

Work authorisation:

• Ireland (required)

Work Location: In person