Laboratory Team Leader

Overview

In this role you lead a high-volume nutritional testing lab, ensuring quality, efficiency and timely results for clients. You will manage a small scientific team, drive automation and end-to-end workflow optimization, and embed safety and compliance across operations. You’ll partner with commercial and senior management to grow services and address client needs. This key position blends scientific leadership with operational excellence to support RSSL’s mission to transform lives through science and collaboration.

Pay / Benefits

• Performance related bonus
• Contributory pension
• Life assurance
• Personal medical (self)
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Flexible benefits programme

Responsibilities

• Organise workload and ensure data integrity and timely results
• Maintain competency with LIMS and data systems to manage workflow and finances
• Support senior management for smooth laboratory operations
• Optimize sample flow with emphasis on automation for lean operations
• Adjust priorities based on business needs and resources
• Manage sample preparation logistics and workflow
• Collaborate with commercial to identify growth opportunities
• Plan and allocate resources within the laboratory budget
• Oversee project delivery and generation of certificates of analysis
• Maintain quality standards and timely reporting
• Support staff selection, direction, and development
• Performance manage direct reports and maintain a compliant training program
• Ensure procedures comply with company QEHS standards
• Write and approve SOPs and risk assessments
• Generate and approve COSHH and training records

Key requirements

• Educated to Degree or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline or equivalent experience
• Deep knowledge of technical area and business environment
• Substantial knowledge of UKAS quality in the food industry
• Proven ability to lead and mentor a diverse scientific team
• Strategic planning for facility and resource management
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Technical credibility in the food sector for internal/external relations
• Experience in laboratory automation and IT integration
• Strong project management and stakeholder management skills
• Proven laboratory experience and operational management experience
• People management, developing and coaching others
• Experience managing financial contracts and budgets
• English fluency (written and spoken)

• strong interpersonal and networking skills
• leadership and people management
• adaptability to changing priorities
• laboratory automation
• LIMS integration
• data handling and analytics

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