Business Area Manager

Echo Personnel; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading testing organization is seeking an ambitious Head of Safety Products Testing. This senior leadership role offers the chance to shape strategy and lead a team within a portfolio of accredited laboratories. Responsibilities include motivating specialist testing teams, managing departmental financials, and ensuring compliance with international standards in PPE testing. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background and demonstrable success in business development. Benefits include generous annual leave and life assurance.

Benefits

25-30 days annual leave

Life assurance

Additional people-focused benefits

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading, inspiring, and motivating teams.
• Demonstrable success in business development and delivering against budgets.
• Confident engaging with senior industry stakeholders at an international level.

Responsibilities

• Leading, motivating and developing specialist testing teams.
• Embedding a lean, continuous improvement culture across the department.
• Full ownership of departmental financials, including forecasting and budgeting.

Skills

Team leadership

Business development

Interpersonal skills

Technical background

Microsoft Office (Excel)

Education

Formal leadership or management qualification

Job description

Business Area Manager

Head of Safety Products Testing

Location: Kettering, UK

Salary: £40,000
£50,000 per annum (DOE)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

The Opportunity

Our client is seeking an ambitious and inspiring Head of Safety Products Testing to take ownership of a highly respected and technically advanced testing function. This is a senior leadership role offering the chance to shape strategy, drive growth, and lead a team of specialists within a portfolio of accredited laboratories operating at the forefront of PPE testing.

Youll play a pivotal role in strengthening reputation, ensuring compliance with international standards, and delivering exceptional service to customers worldwide, all while building a culture of continuous improvement and high performance.

About the Role

As Head of Safety Products Testing, you will lead from the front, balancing strategic vision with hands‑on leadership. Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading, motivating and developing specialist testing teams to deliver year‑on‑year growth in revenue and profitability
• Embedding a lean, continuous improvement culture across the department
• Ensuring robust personal development plans are in place, enabling team members to reach their full potential
• Overseeing the timely production of Spotlight and Bulletin articles
• Maintaining and expanding the UKAS scope as required
• Championing Health & Safety compliance across all laboratory operations
• Managing day‑to‑day departmental operations including recruitment, performance, engagement and succession planning
• Full ownership of departmental financials, including forecasting, budgeting, month‑end reporting, expenses and purchasing
• Driving sales growth and promoting Safety Products Testing services to existing and new customers
• Representing the department at trade fairs and during customer visits
• Staying at the forefront of PPE testing standards, legislation and industry developments
• Ensuring all testing activities operate within ISO 17025 and the client’s quality management system
• Managing interventions, investigations and corrective actions when required
• Maintaining strong representation across national, European and international technical committees

About You

Essential

• Proven experience leading, inspiring and motivating teams
• Demonstrable success in business development and delivering against budgets
• Confident engaging with senior industry stakeholders at an international level, both technically and culturally
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and rapport at all levels
• Highly organised, detail‑focused and able to prioritise effectively
• A technical background with the ability to interpret complex testing standards
• Strategic thinker with the ability to plan and deliver departmental growth
• Willing and able to travel as required
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel

Desirable

• Experience within the PPE industry
• Formal leadership or management qualification
• Exposure to sales and marketing initiatives

Benefits

• 2530 days annual leave (service‑related)
• Life assurance
• Additional benefits aligned with a forward‑thinking, people‑focused organisation