Microbiology Laboratory Supervisor (Shift Work Required)

About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Abbott in Ireland

Abbott has maintained a strong presence in Ireland since 1946 and celebrates its 80th anniversary in the country in 2026. The company supports the Irish healthcare sector with a broad portfolio spanning diagnostics, diabetes care, medical devices and nutritional products. Today, Abbott employs more than 6,200 people across ten sites located in Dublin, Donegal, Clonmel, Cootehill, Galway, Kilkenny, Longford and Sligo.

Abbott Ireland Nutrition Division Cootehill Cavan

Abbott Nutrition produces a range of infant formulae in all pack sizes under the brand name “Similac”. To complement the range of “Similac” infant formulae, the facility also manufactures a range of follow on formulae under the brand name of “Gain”. The essential ingredient is liquid skim milk and this is combined with carbohydrate, vegetable oils, vitamins and minerals. The product is blended, pasteurised, dried and packaged at the site and once packaged, is distributed to Europe, South East Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Canada.

Established in 1975, Abbott Nutrition in Ireland is the largest powder manufacturing facility for the production of infant formulae within the Abbott Corporation worldwide.  Approximately 1,000 dairy farms in Ireland and Northern Ireland supply quality milk to the Cootehill facility which processes 500,000 litres per day. This secure supply together with Ireland’s reputation as a green, clean environment is of significant strategic importance to Abbott Nutrition.

Please note any offer of employment for this position is   conditional upon the successful completion   of a pre-employment medical examination, including drug and alcohol screening, conducted by a medical practitioner designated by the Company.

Ready to take the next step in your leadership career? 

We have an exciting opportunity for a proactive and experienced Microbiology Laboratory Supervisor on our Rotating Days & Evening Shift to lead our microbiology team in supporting product quality, regulatory compliance, and batch release activities within a regulated manufacturing environment. This is an excellent opportunity for a microbiology professional with strong leadership capabilities, a passion for quality and continuous improvement, and a commitment to developing high-performing teams. In this role, you will be involved:

Team Leadership

Lead, coach, and develop a team of Microbiology Technicians.

Manage laboratory resources, scheduling, and workload priorities.

Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance management.

Laboratory Operations

Oversee microbiological testing for batch release, environmental monitoring, raw materials, and finished products.

Review and approve laboratory documentation, data, and test results.

Ensure testing activities are completed accurately and on time.

Quality & Compliance

Ensure compliance with GMP, GLP, quality systems, and regulatory requirements.

Support internal and external audits and maintain inspection readiness.

Lead laboratory investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.

Maintain and improve laboratory SOPs, test methods, and documentation.

Continuous Improvement

Drive improvements in laboratory processes, microbiological control programmes, and testing efficiency.

Support equipment validation, test method transfers, and laboratory projects.

Analyse microbiological trends and communicate key metrics to site leadership.

Health & Safety

Champion a strong culture of safety, compliance, and good laboratory practices.

Ensure adherence to all Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) requirements and laboratory procedures.

Education & Experience

Degree in Microbiology is an advantage or a General Science discipline

A minimum of 18months to 2yrs people management expr

Experience working in a microbiology laboratory within a regulated environment is essential for this role

Key Skills

Strong understanding of GMP, quality systems, and microbiological testing techniques.

Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Experience in the food, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device industry.

Knowledge of FDA requirements and laboratory information management systems (LIMS).

Hours of Work for Rotating each week Days/Evening Shift

Days - Monday to Thursday - 8am to 4pm, Friday - 8am to 2pm

Evenings - Monday to Thursday 4pm to Midnight, Friday - 2pm to 8pm

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by leading a critical quality function, developing a talented team, and contributing to the delivery of safe, high-quality products in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives:  Abbott in Ireland | Benefits

Connect with us at www.abbott.com and on LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram , X and YouTube .