Laboratory Team Manager

The role of Team Manager is to lead chemical testing studies and project-specific method development and validation within the OGC. The individual will support the Head of the OGC to maintain the high-quality standards expected from the Government Chemist function, through development and implementation of methods in support of our statutory and advisory functions, participation in proficiency testing schemes, continuous improvement projects and an understanding of customer requirements. This is a combined management and delivery role, overseeing a small team of scientists responsible for delivering a statutory function, government-funded measurement research projects and other customer driven analysis. You will most likely have a degree or equivalent experience in the life sciences and significant experience in delivering statutory or regulatory solutions within a (local) government, academic, clinical or industrial R&D environment. The successful candidate will need to work closely with (and deputise for) the Team Manager for Referee Analysis and Special Projects, and as part of a busy team.,

• Management, planning and effective utilisation of resources to ensure laboratory operations are delivered to quality, time and budget, and in accordance with agreed internal and external performance targets.
• Support customer relationships, updating progress, future work, technical advice and guidance (as required) to deliver value to clients.
• Dissemination of scientific developments and achievements both internally and externally.
• Ability to gather and critically appraise scientific data from a variety of sources
• Ability to ensure accurate record keeping and report writing.
• Act as a point of reference for technical advice and guidance to other team members.
• Managing, developing and motivating scientists through clear goals, objectives and performance measures to ensure they are highly engaged in their work and operate in accordance with LGC values.
• Ensure regulatory and legal compliance; creating a culture which supports a safe and productive working environment.
• Working with the Team Manager for Referee Analysis and Special Projects, ensuring the quality management system is developed and aligned to the needs of the business.
• Lead on laboratory health and safety, including risk assessments, health and safety protocols and administration.
• Create a proactive and innovative approach to continuous improvement, including recommendations for investment (both equipment and methodology) that delivers efficiency and productivity improvements for stakeholders and customers.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the job role and responsibilities.
  
  A sound background in Chemistry, educated to at least degree level or equivalent, with significant years practical experience in analytical chemistry.
• Working knowledge of the major instrumental analytical techniques; ICP, AA, GC, GC-MS, LC and LCMS with in-depth knowledge of at least one.
• Practical experience in working within an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory; familiarity with quality managements systems and requirements (including auditing), together with their implementation and maintenance to meet external customer needs and expectations.
• Experience of directly managing customer requirements including understanding their initial needs, agreeing realistic deadlines and communicating outcomes of contracted work.
• Experience of critical review of data and be able to recommend a suitable course of action where results do not meet required specifications (including quality control).
• Experience of managing & developing scientific staff, ability to deal with complex people related issues both informally and formally to achieve positive outcomes.
• A manager who understands the importance of key goals and milestones and delivering quality solutions efficiently and effectively within budget.
• A straightforward open and honest communicator, able to impart complex scientific concepts to a range of expert and lay audiences.
Desired Criteria
• Familiarisation with other quality systems (i.e. ISO 9001) and audit requirements.
• Basic financial numeracy and management., A well-organized, self-motivated individual who understands the importance of key goals and milestones, and delivering quality solutions efficiently, effectively and within budget
• A solutions provider: an individual with a high degree of tenacity for solving technical problems and the ability to question and improve upon current processes within the laboratory
• A consummate professional, positive role model, good communicator and mentor, and be seen as such.
• You should have good attention to detail and keep meticulous records of analytical work
• A motivational manager.
• Straightforward open and honest communicator of complex scientific concepts to a range of expert and non-expert audiences.
• You should be capable of critical review of work of other analysts
• You should be able to demonstrate active personal self-development.
  
  LGC is a leading, global life science tools company, providing mission-critical components and solutions into high-growth application areas across the human healthcare and applied market segments. Its high-quality product portfolio is comprised of mission-critical tools for genomic analysis and for quality assurance applications, which are typically embedded and recurring within our customers' products and workflows and are valued for their performance, quality and range.
The National Laboratories at LGC deliver a range of functions and services in partnership with UK Government, business, hospitals and academia. The business employs ~150 people, developing and maintaining reference measurement capabilities that ensure trust and confidence in chemical and biological measurement across the UK. Our work addresses fundamental and emerging measurement challenges, helping to foster innovation, to promote productivity and economic growth, and to support regulatory compliance for future national and international need. The Office of The Government Chemist (OGC) specifically resolves technical disputes between businesses and enforcement authorities mainly in the food and feed sector, provides expert advice for the development of legislation, standards and policy, and conducts measurement research to ensure evidence-based deployment across government, industry, academia and other organisations.