Microbiology Department Project Lead

Company Description

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at  . Follow @abbvie on  LinkedIn,   Facebook ,  Instagram ,  X and  YouTube.

Job Description

The Microbiology Department Project Lead serves as the technical leader for a sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing site, overseeing microbiological testing, environmental monitoring, contamination control, laboratory operations, projects, change controls, GMP documentation, method qualification and validation, investigations, deviations, and CAPAs. The role also coordinates with cross-functional partners, assesses microbiological risks, drives continuous improvement, monitors regulatory and scientific developments, supports inspections and audits, analyzes data and trends, manages project resources, and mentors personnel while championing scientific excellence, compliance, and operational effectiveness. 

For a Microbiology Department Project Lead role supporting a sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing site, you can position the role as the technical leader responsible for microbiology program governance, laboratory projects, and quality system improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead for the Microbiology department, providing scientific oversight and guidance for microbiological testing, environmental monitoring, contamination control, and laboratory operations.
• Lead and manage microbiology-related projects from initiation through implementation, ensuring alignment with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and site priorities.
• Own and coordinate microbiology change controls, assessing technical impact, defining implementation strategies, and ensuring timely closure of quality records.
• Author, review, approve, and implement microbiology procedures, specifications, protocols, and technical documents to maintain compliance with current GMP requirements.
• Lead method qualification, verification, validation, and transfer activities for microbiological and rapid microbiological methods.
• Provide technical review and approval of investigations, deviations, laboratory events, and CAPAs related to microbiological processes and testing.
• Partner with Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Engineering, Validation, and Regulatory Affairs to support product and process changes, new product introductions, and operational improvements.
• Assess microbiological risks associated with process changes, equipment modifications, facility upgrades, and contamination control strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance laboratory efficiency, data integrity, compliance, and contamination control effectiveness.
• Monitor and interpret emerging regulatory expectations, industry standards, and scientific advancements to ensure microbiology programs remain compliant and inspection-ready.
• Support regulatory inspections and customer audits by serving as the microbiology subject matter expert and presenting technical justifications, data, and program strategies.
• Analyze microbiological data and trends to identify risks, improve process understanding, and recommend actions that strengthen product quality and patient safety.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution of microbiology projects, timelines, deliverables, and resource planning.

Preferred Leadership Responsibilities

• Act as the primary microbiology SME for technical decision-making and strategic laboratory initiatives.
• Mentor microbiologists and laboratory personnel on scientific principles, regulatory expectations, and best practices.
• Champion a culture of scientific excellence, compliance, continuous improvement, and operational effectiveness within the Microbiology organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Science/Engineering/Business Management or equivalent technical work experience
• 5+ years of relevant Quality experience in a GMP pharmaceutical, biologics, and/or medical device manufacturing environment
• Strong understanding of cGxPs, regulatory inspections, regulatory documents, global regulations, and standards
• Experience in Project Management and leading cross-functional project teams with technical professionals in a global and/or complex, matrixed organization
• Strong oral and written communication, interpersonal, time management, influence, and problem-solving skills
• Proficient in the use of standard software applications including Office 365

Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. ​

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​

• This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs. ​

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law. ​

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. 

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