Business Unit Leader

ALS Laboratories (UK) Ltd; Coventry; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 25–30 days

Sick pay scheme

Salary progression

Perkbox membership

Learning support

Group pension

Job summary

ALS Laboratories (UK) Ltd. in Coventry invites a commercially minded Business Unit Manager to lead our Environmental Laboratory and 400+ colleagues as part of the UK and Ireland Senior Management Team.

You will balance strategic thinking with hands-on leadership, improve engagement, develop capability and drive improvements across safety, quality, and client service while managing day-to-day operations and budgets.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a laboratory or high-volume operation.
• Knowledge of ISO 17025, ISO 45001 or ISO 14001 systems.
• Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field.
• Experience leading continuous improvement and automation initiatives.
• Excellent people and leadership capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of the Coventry laboratory.
• Set direction and foster a high-performing culture.
• Develop leaders and support career progression.
• Drive safety, quality, efficiency, and client service improvements.
• Manage resources and budgets to hit KPIs.
• Collaborate with sites and functions to optimise sample flow.
• Champion automation and digital tool investments.
• Partner with teams to maintain compliance and meet client needs.

Skills

Laboratory management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Continuous improvement

Strategic thinking

Budget management

People development

Education

Degree or equivalent qualification

Job description

At ALS, we encourage you to dream big. When you join us, you'll be part of a global team harnessing the power of scientific testing and data-driven insights to build a healthier future.

Business Unit Manager - Coventry Environmental Laboratory Overview

We are seeking an inspiring and commercially minded Business Unit Manager to lead our Coventry Environmental laboratory and more than 400 colleagues as part of the UK and Ireland Senior Management Team. This is an opportunity for an energetic, people-focused leader who can improve engagement, develop capability and create a culture where people want to stay and grow. You will combine strategic thinking with a hands-on approach - addressing issues early, empowering experienced technical teams and driving innovation, performance and excellent client service. You will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the laboratory, delivering improvements across safety, quality, efficiency, customer service and financial performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the day-to-day operations of the Coventry laboratory, ensuring timely, accurate and high-quality delivery of results.
• Set a clear direction for the site, creating an engaged, accountable and high-performing culture.
• Build trust and engagement at all levels, ensuring colleagues feel valued, heard and supported to succeed.
• Develop and empower leaders and teams, supporting capability building, succession planning and career progression.
• Motivate teams through change, encouraging ownership, proactive problem-solving and early resolution of operational issues.
• Drive continuous improvement across health and safety, quality, customer service, productivity, capacity and cost.
• Deliver operational KPIs, service levels, customer commitments, revenue and profit targets through effective resource and budget management.
• Work collaboratively with other sites and functions to improve sample flow, turnaround times and the overall customer experience.
• Champion innovation and investment, including automation, robotics, digital tools, AI and strategic CAPEX projects.
• Partner with technical, quality, sales and customer services teams to develop laboratory capability, maintain compliance and meet evolving business and client needs.

About You

You will be a visible, approachable and energising leader who is passionate about helping people and businesses perform at their best. You will be comfortable leading through others, creating clarity in complex situations and turning strategy into practical action.

You will bring:

• Inspire and engage teams to deliver excellent performance and customer outcomes.
• Build strong relationships and influence at all levels.
• Develop people, strengthen leadership capability and support career progression.
• Take ownership, make confident decisions and solve problems before they accelerate.
• Balance commercial priorities with operational performance and continuous improvement.
• Communicate clearly and bring people with you through change.
• Embrace innovation and find smarter, more effective ways of working.
• Stay resilient, positive and practical in a fast-paced environment.

Experience and Qualifications

• Experience of managing a laboratory, production, manufacturing, logistics, technical services or similarly high-volume operational environment.
• Experience of working within a regulated or quality-led organisation.
• Familiarity with laboratory logistics, sample registration, transport or supply chain processes.
• Knowledge of ISO 17025, ISO 45001 or ISO 14001 systems.
• A degree, HNC, HND or equivalent qualification in a relevant scientific, technical, operational or business discipline.
• Experience of leading continuous improvement, automation, digital transformation or operational change.
• However, we recognise that no one person will have every technical skill. Coventry has experienced technical, quality and operational teams who will provide the specialist knowledge and support required.
• We are particularly interested in candidates who can bring the leadership, energy, curiosity and people focus needed to unlock the potential of the site and make a lasting difference.

The Impact You Will Make

This is an opportunity to shape the performance and culture of a major environmental laboratory. You will help create a workplace where people are engaged, supported and proud of what they do – while delivering excellent results for our clients and contributing to the continued growth and success of the business.

Our Benefits Include:

• Annual leave commencing at 25 days (rising to 30) plus 8 public holidays (pro rata for part time) Ability to buy annual leave.
• Enhanced company sick pay scheme.
• Salary progression scheme based on technical and behavioural competencies.
• 'Celebrating Success' recognition awards.
• Perkbox membership providing access to discount vouchers and wellness hub.
• Learning/study support.
• Group personal pension plan.
• Car parking on-site.

Working at ALS

The ALS team is a diverse and dedicated community united by our passion to make a difference in the world. Our values are important to us, and shape how we work, how we treat each other and how we recognise excellence. At ALS, you'll be supported to develop new skills and reach your full potential. We invest in our people with programmes and opportunities that help you build a diverse career with us. We want everyone to have a safe, flexible and rewarding career that makes a positive impact on our people, the planet and our communities. Everyone matters.

ALS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where the strengths and perspectives of each employee are both recognised and valued. ALS also welcomes applications from people with all levels of ability. Reasonable adjustments to support candidates throughout the recruitment process are available upon request.

Eligibility

To be eligible to work at ALS you must be a citizen or permanent resident of the country you are applying for, or either hold or be able to obtain, a valid working visa.