Senior Veterinary Manager, Vet Diagnostic Services

Introduction

THIS IS AN ONGOING RECRUITMENT INITIATIVE

This is an ongoing recruitment initiative for the Senior Veterinary Manager position until May 29, or until the position is filled.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and candidates only need to apply once.

Manitoba Agriculture works collaboratively with citizens, industry, governments, and other stakeholders to enable the sustainable development and strengthen the resilience of Manitoba's agriculture and food processing industries.

Skilled, passionate, and engaged staff that embrace innovation and continuous improvement are key to the department's success.

The Veterinary Diagnostic Services (VDS) of Manitoba Agriculture is seeking a veterinarian to become the newest Senior Manager to lead the provincial animal health laboratory in Manitoba.

This is an exciting new opportunity for veterinarians with business and / or laboratory experience to have a leadership role in transforming and building an amazing diagnostic service for Manitoba.

As Senior Manager, you will oversee VDS’ technical, operational, and administrative functions, and lead the development of essential policies, strategies, practices, and projects to advance VDS’ diagnostics program, and maintain strict compliance with laboratory and disease regulations and standards.

Winnipeg, Manitoba is an academic center, is home to the National Microbiology Laboratory and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

It has a vibrant culture and sports center, has affordable housing, good recreational opportunities (cottage country), and an international airport (see

Conditions of Employment :

• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada
• Licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Manitoba, or eligible for full licensure with the ability to attain prior to hire
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays when emergencies dictate
• Must provide satisfactory criminal record check

Qualifications : Essential :

Degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from an educational institute accredited by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association or American Veterinary Medical Association, or successful completion of the North American Licensing Exam (NAVLE) and other pre-requisite exams required to obtain a full license to practice in Manitoba.

An equivalent combination of related education, training and experience in related agriculture, scientific, research and laboratory fields including veterinary technology and medical technical satisfactory to the department may be considered in an under-fill role.

• Working experience in a human medical or veterinary laboratory or veterinary clinic based supervisory experience leading a professional team including responsibility for human and financial resources and strong management and leadership skills to work in a team environment and build effective teams.
• Considerable related work experience in the veterinary sector and / or laboratory diagnostics, including virology or molecular biology or microbiology or clinical pathology.
• Strong knowledge of the strategic direction and priorities of the commercial livestock and poultry industry related to disease surveillance, planning and management.
• Knowledge and experience in quality assurance, risk management, project management and information management in support of quality assurance and protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and explain complex information and undertake systems thinking.
• Political acumen demonstrated through experience providing strategic advice to senior leaders on complex topics and sensitive issues.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written and the ability to communicate and build partnerships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• High degree of initiative and demonstrated ability to work independently to accomplish tasks.
• Experience providing leadership and direction in the design and implementation of projects, policies and programs.

Desired :

• Graduate degree in epidemiology, public health or related program including veterinary board certification.
• Change management experience, with formal change management training / accreditation.
• Formal project management training / accreditation.

Duties : Reporting to the Chief Veterinary Officer, the manager is responsible for providing management and leadership to the section and oversees the operations and administration of the gross pathology, clinical pathology, virology and microbiology sections of the lab.

The incumbent leads and supports the implementation and co-ordination of laboratory strategic and business plans and the extension of programs and services related to the continued development and advancement of livestock, poultry and companion animal health, and a profitable and sustainable livestock and poultry industry.

This position is accountable for the overall operational and administrative management of Veterinary Diagnostic Services.

This position leads a large and multidisciplinary team of professional and administrative staff engaged in the provision of a broad capacity of expert laboratory based analysis.

Veterinary Diagnostic Services has four complete laboratory sections including accessioning and anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, virology, and microbiology, and is equipped with new integrated LIMS system.

Teamwork is inclusive of 4 anatomic pathologists, a clinical pathologist, a microbiologist, a molecular scientist / virologist, a quality assurance officer, 4 lab supervisors, and 27 skilled medical technologists.

This is an opportunity to represent the interests of Manitoba and Veterinary Diagnostic Services as part of the national network of animal diagnostic laboratories to support national and international animal health requirements.