Assistant Manager - Food and Health Laboratory (Chemistry)

Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Port Melbourne location

Job summary

Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources – Port Melbourne VIC is seeking an Assistant Manager for the Food and Health Laboratory (Chemistry). The role leads the laboratory team, drives QA, method development and compliance with accreditation standards, and partners with regulators and stakeholders to ensure high-quality analytical outputs.

You will oversee operations, budgeting and strategic planning, while supporting recruitment and capability development in a dynamic scientific

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership and people management in scientific setting.
• Analytical chemistry knowledge, lab operations, validation and quality systems.
• Instrumentation and classical chemistry experience.
• Strong ISO/IEC 17025 understanding and quality governance.
• Ability to manage complex technical, quality and regulatory issues with evidence-based judgement.
• Experience in project management, budgeting and resource planning.
• Stakeholder engagement, negotiations and clear written communication.
• Ability to interpret legislation, accreditation requirements and policies.
• Experience in quality assurance, audits and corrective actions.
• Strategic thinking with change management and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and operational management within the laboratory and contribute to strategic planning.
• Coordinate workflows, priorities and resources to meet objectives.
• Lead scientific, technical and administrative staff with coaching and performance management.
• Provide high-level scientific and technical advice on complex analytical chemistry and quality matters.
• Oversee ISO/ IEC 17025 accreditation, QA systems, audits and corrective actions.
• Manage technical projects, method development and validation, and lab improvements.
• Plan resources and expenditure; prepare reports and recommendations.
• Negotiate outcomes with regulators and stakeholders; maintain productive relationships.
• Support recruitment, succession planning and capability development.
• Promote safety, inclusion and a customer-focused culture.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Analytical chemistry

Quality governance

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Decision making

Communication

Education

Tertiary qualification in chemistry or related discipline

Experience in accredited analytical lab

Job description

Assistant Manager - Food and Health Laboratory (Chemistry)

Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources – Port Melbourne VIC

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:

• Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
• Investing in science and technology
• Strengthening the resources sector.

The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.

If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.

Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.

About the Department

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:

• Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
• Investing in science and technology
• Strengthening the resources sector.

The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.

If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.

Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.

About the team

We are the Australian Government’s national authority on measurement. We play an important role in the Australian economy by leading, maintaining and regulating Australia’s measurement system. We deliver world-class measurement products, advice and client services and administer the regulatory framework for measurement. Our national measurement standards are recognised internationally and we work to enhance and maintain these standards.

The Analytical Services Branch consists of a team of over 100 staff based in North Ryde and Port Melbourne. We are responsible for conducting chemical and biological measurement on a wide range of samples (including water, soil, food and pharmaceuticals). Performing a diverse range of tests (including elements, nutrients, organic contaminants and microbiological parameters). We provide analytical solutions and technical expertise for a large set of private sector and government clients across the environmental, food and health sectors, enabling them to meet their business, research and regulatory compliance needs. We also work closely with the tertiary education sector in Australia and have a number of international stakeholders.

What’s in it for you?

We value the different skills, knowledge and perspectives our employees bring. We’re committed to giving everyone an equal opportunity to participate, contribute and progress. Our values and behaviours centre around being Adaptable, Innovative, Accountable, Strategic, Inclusive and Influential.

Our ideal candidate

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Demonstrated leadership and people management experience in a scientific, technical, quality or regulatory setting.
• Extensive knowledge of analytical chemistry, laboratory operations, method validation and quality management systems.
• Experience in both instrumentation and classical chemistry.
• Strong understanding of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation requirements, quality governance and laboratory good practice.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex technical, quality, operational and organisational issues using sound judgement and evidence-based decision-making.
• Experience in project management, budgeting, resource planning, risk management and continuous improvement.
• Well-developed stakeholder engagement, negotiation, written communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to interpret and implement legislation, accreditation requirements, policies, procedures and business strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in quality assurance, audits, compliance management, corrective actions and technical risk management.
• Strategic thinking and delivers agreed outcomes.
• Acts with integrity, accountability and sound professional judgement.
• Analyses complex technical and quality information and develops practical solutions.
• Adapts to change and manages competing priorities.
• Communicates, collaborates and influences effectively.
• Demonstrates commitment to safety, quality, inclusion, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in chemistry or another related scientific discipline, together with substantial experience in an accredited analytical laboratory environment.

The key duties of the position include:

The successful candidate will:

• Provide leadership and operational management within the laboratory and contribute to strategic planning and direction in consultation with the Laboratory Manager.
• Take responsibility for assigned operational, technical, quality, workforce and service delivery outcomes, including coordinating workflows, priorities and resources to meet agreed objectives.
• Lead and supervise scientific, technical and administrative staff, including work allocation, performance management, coaching, capability development and workforce planning.
• Provide high-level scientific and technical advice on complex analytical chemistry, method validation, quality, operational and regulatory matters.
• Lead and oversee compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation requirements, laboratory quality systems, relevant legislation, departmental policies, and WHS obligations. In partnership with the biology Assistant Manager (EL1) and under the direction of the Food and Health Laboratory Manager, ensure the effective management and continuous improvement of the Quality System by overseeing method validation and verification, equipment and metrological traceability, proficiency testing, accreditation activities, audit programs, corrective and preventive actions, and staff competency assessment.
• Lead quality assurance, audits, accreditation activities, risk management, corrective actions, continuous improvement and the implementation of quality, technical and procedural change.
• Manage technical projects, analytical method development and validation, capability enhancement, equipment procurement and laboratory improvement initiatives.
• Plan, allocate and monitor operational resources and expenditure within delegated authority, and prepare reports, briefings and recommendations for management.
• Manage complex or sensitive customer and stakeholder matters, negotiate practical outcomes and maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including regulators and accreditation bodies.
• Contribute to recruitment, succession planning and strategies to maintain critical scientific and quality capability and identify emerging issues that may affect longer-term priorities.
• Promote a safe, respectful, inclusive, innovative, quality-focused and customer-focused workplace culture.
• Represent the laboratory and the organisation at relevant technical, quality, regulatory, professional and stakeholder forums.
• Act on behalf of the Laboratory Manager when required, within assigned authority.

Eligibility

Must be an approved signatory for chemical testing in a food laboratory.

To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, candidates must be Australian Citizens.

Positions require a Baseline security clearance and successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Notes

A merit pool may be established and used to fill future vacancies within 18 months from the date the vacancy was first advertised in the Gazette.

The department does currently offer flexible work opportunities for many roles. This vacancy is Port Melbourne based, although flexible or remote work arrangements may be considered. Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.

Getting to know the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR)

The department’s Enterprise Agreement and policies provide for a flexible working environment to assist staff balance their work and home life. Staff and managers work together to balance the operating needs of the department with the needs of the individual. Options may include full time/part time working arrangements, working from home or other arrangements.Our employees say they recommend our department as a good place to work. Our workplace is one that encourages and supports all employees to have a sense of belonging and a culture that allows them to bring their authentic selves to work every day.Our reconciliation vision supports a workforce with opportunities and career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The vision allows them to feel empowered and helps to ensure that the department and broader community can benefit from the knowledge and experience of Australia’s First Peoples.We encourage applications from people of all ages, abilities, nationalities and backgrounds including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, mature age, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people of the LGBTIQA+ community and people with disability.The department wants to give candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their full potential during a recruitment process. We encourage candidates who require any adjustments or support as part of the recruitment process to reach out and discuss them with the job’s contact officer. Candidates are also welcome to contact our Inclusion team at *********@industry.gov.au for a confidential discussion if you identify from any of these diverse backgrounds and would like to discuss how we can support you.