Chemistry Manager

ADEY Limited; Sittingbourne; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading chemicals testing company based in Sittingbourne is looking for a Chemistry Laboratory Manager to oversee daily operations and ensure compliance with ISO 17025 standards. The successful candidate will lead a team of scientists, drive service excellence, and enhance productivity within the laboratory. The ideal individual will possess a degree in chemistry, relevant management experience, and strong communication skills. Attractive benefits include 25 days holiday, matched pension contributions, and life assurance.

Benefits

25 days holiday

Pension contribution matched up to 8%

Life Assurance 3x base salary

Private health scheme

Genuit sharesave scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience in laboratory management with knowledge of ISO 17025.
• Experience in chemistry analysis and quality management systems.
• Ability to work to targets and manage customer expectations.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of the chemistry analytical laboratory.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 17025 and all relevant regulations.
• Lead and develop laboratory staff, providing mentoring and support.

Skills

Strong leadership

Communication skills

Financial literacy

Attention to detail

Team motivation

Education

Degree in Chemistry or related discipline

Job description

Overview

The Chemistry Laboratory Manager is responsible for the daily operational, technical, financial, and people management operations of the chemistry analytical laboratory. The role ensures full compliance with ISO 17025, customer-specific standards, and all relevant regulatory and health and safety requirements, while driving continuous improvement, productivity and service excellence. The post holder will ensure the laboratory operates with operational flexibility, so capacity aligns with incoming sample volumes to maintain high productivity and market leading turnaround times.

Key Focus Areas

• Strong people leadership
• Process and continuous improvement
• Change management
• Service delivery excellence
• Cost control and commercial awareness

Responsibilities

• The post holder operates with a high degree of autonomy within the framework of ISO 17025, UKAS, H&S, and regulatory standards.
• Responsible for planning workload, prioritising activities, and providing direct line management and technical guidance to the chemistry team.
• Regular engagement in management meetings, monthly performance and UKAS and customer audits
• Daily independent decision-making on operational priorities, staff management, non-conformances and customer complaints
• Represents the laboratory during customer and accreditation audits.
• Responsible for maintaining and updating analytical methods and SOPs in collaboration with the Quality Manager.
• Lead all water chemistry analytical operations, including process water, drinking water, wastewater, surface water, and trade effluent.
• Ensure full compliance with ISO/IEC 17025, UKAS requirements, and relevant regulatory standards
• Oversee method validation, verification, and uncertainty of measurement and instrument performance
• Review, authorise, and release analytical results and certificates of analysis.
• Assist in the review, improvement, and development of new analytical methods that bring business benefits.
• Maintain and continuously improve the Quality Management System.
• Lead internal audits, management reviews and corrective and preventive actions
• Ensure all customer contractual and regulatory requirements are fully met.
• Maintain all UKAS accreditations and external approvals.
• Liaise with statutory bodies, professional organisations, and suppliers.
• Promote a strong safety culture by applying and enforcing all company H&S policies, COSHH and risk assessments and environmental policies
• Responsibility for: recruitment, retention, motivation, mentoring, coaching, performance management in line with agreed KPIs
• Drive a quality-driven service culture.
• Act as a role model for Genuit Trademark Behaviours
• Provide technical support to external customers, sales and account management
• Support the development and optimal use of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Champion continuous improvements

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemistry or related discipline
• Previous laboratory management experience.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 17025.
• Proven experience in chemistry analysis.
• Excellent communication skills with confidence when dealing with customers, UKAS, and regulatory bodies.
• Strong leadership and team motivation ability.
• Financially and IT literate.
• Demonstrated ability to work to targets and manage expectations.
• High attention to detail with a strong understanding of laboratory business processes.
• Act with integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
• Maintain an open, honest, and approachable management style.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday
• Pension contribution matched up to 8%
• Life Assurance 3x base salary
• Private health scheme
• Genuit sharesave scheme

Company Overview

Alpha Scientific is at the forefront of chemical and microbiological testing, reliably providing organisations with detailed analysis of water and air quality. We are a team of highly skilled and trained scientists who work from purpose-built, UKAS accredited laboratories in Sittingbourne, Slough and Manchester. Now part of the Genuit Groups' Climate Management Solutions (CMS) business unit, Alpha has ambitious growth plans. Here at the Genuit Group we recognise and develop the contribution our people make to the Group's success and are committed to attracting talent from the widest pool. We have a role to play in making the built environment more sustainable, building a low carbon business ourselves as well as delivering sustainable solutions at scale.