Chemistry Lab Operations Manager - Multi-Lab Safety

Avantor; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor is seeking a Technical Laboratory Manager to oversee multiple laboratories in Cambridge, balancing hands-on work with strategic coordination. The role emphasizes health, safety, and compliance across sites with ongoing support for users and teams.

Ideal candidates will have a chemistry background, strong HSE expertise, and experience supporting several labs within a research or pharmaceutical setting, driving continuous improvement and efficient operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or higher in Chemistry, Chemical Sciences or related field.
• Experience managing or supporting laboratory operations in a scientific setting.
• Strong knowledge of health, safety, risk management and compliance requirements.
• Experience coordinating multiple laboratories and working with diverse stakeholders.
• Hands-on approach with a focus on supporting laboratory users and scientific teams.
• Excellent organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day operation of multiple laboratories across the site.
• Act as main point of contact for laboratory users, providing practical guidance.
• Drive a strong culture of HSE compliance in laboratory spaces.
• Lead laboratory safety activities, risk assessments and corrective actions.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance, servicing, calibration and lifecycle planning.
• Collaborate with scientists, facilities teams, contractors and suppliers to ensure operations run smoothly.
• Deliver laboratory inductions, training and ongoing support to users.
• Manage laboratory consumables and cold storage areas.
• Lead sustainability and continuous improvement initiatives within laboratories.
• Support space planning, utilisation and optimisation projects.

Skills

Lab operations

HSE compliance

Stakeholder management

Hands-on

Communication

Education

Degree in Chemistry or related

Job description

Avantor is seeking a Technical Laboratory Manager to oversee multiple laboratories in Cambridge, balancing hands-on work with strategic coordination. The role emphasizes health, safety, and compliance across sites with ongoing support for users and teams.

Ideal candidates will have a chemistry background, strong HSE expertise, and experience supporting several labs within a research or pharmaceutical setting, driving continuous improvement and efficient operations.