Head of Chemistry

Interaction Recruitment; Kettering; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25–28 days' annual leave

Life assurance

Group personal pension plan

Income protection

Free on-site parking

Job summary

Interaction Recruitment is seeking an experienced Head of Chemistry to lead a department in Kettering, Northamptonshire. This senior role combines technical knowledge with commercial acumen, team leadership and business development experience.

You will provide strategic and operational leadership across a ~20‑strong team, working with the Laboratory Manager and Team Leader to guide and inspire the wider unit.

Qualifications

• Proven experience of leading, inspiring and motivating a technical team.
• Demonstrable success in business development and commercial growth.
• Experience of working within budgetary requirements.
• Strong understanding of the industries served by the organisation.
• Ability to network confidently with senior industry figures internationally.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport at all levels.
• Leadership style: approachable, diplomatic and inspirational.
• Strong delegation and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop the Chemistry team, creating a high‑performing culture.
• Drive business generation to maintain and increase departmental market share.
• Develop and deliver coordinated sales, marketing and business development plans.
• Work with external marketing partners to support departmental growth.
• Ensure the department provides high‑quality technical information and guidance to clients.
• Maintain a culture of continuous improvement and operational efficiency.
• Represent the organisation with external contacts, including industry leaders and government bodies.
• Maintain an appropriate UKAS scope and identify opportunities for extension.
• Ensure departmental Quality Management Systems and documentation remain current and compliant.
• Maintain high standards of health and safety across the department.
• Support international operations and collaboration with overseas teams.
• Contribute to strategic planning and future development of the department.

Skills

Leadership

Business development

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Networking

Communication

Strategic planning

Travel willing

Job description

Head of Chemistry – 12 Month FTC Maternity Cover

Location: Kettering, Northamptonshire

Salary: DOE

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Contract: 12 Month Fixed-Term Contract – Maternity Cover

Reference: 41/26

Interaction Recruitment is recruiting on behalf of our client for an experienced and commercially minded Head of Chemistry to lead a well-established Chemistry Department in Kettering.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for an individual who can combine strong technical knowledge with commercial awareness, team leadership and business development experience.

The Role

You will provide strategic and operational leadership across a Chemistry Department of approximately 20 multiskilled technicians, technologists and support staff. You will work closely with the Laboratory Manager and Team Leader, providing direction, support and inspiration to the wider team.

• Lead, motivate and develop the Chemistry team, creating a positive and high-performing culture.
• Drive business generation to maintain and increase departmental market share.
• Develop and deliver coordinated sales, marketing and business development plans.
• Work with external marketing partners to support departmental growth.
• Ensure the department continues to provide high-quality technical information, support and guidance to clients.
• Develop and maintain a culture of continuous improvement and operational efficiency.
• Represent the organisation with external contacts, including industry leaders, members, non-members, government bodies and NGOs.
• Maintain an appropriate UKAS scope and identify opportunities for extension where required.
• Ensure departmental Quality Management Systems and documentation remain current and compliant.
• Maintain high standards of health and safety across the department.
• Support international operations where required, including collaboration with overseas teams.
• Contribute to strategic planning and the future development of the department.

About You

• Proven experience of leading, inspiring and motivating a technical team.
• Demonstrable success in business development and commercial growth.
• Experience of working within budgetary requirements.
• Strong understanding of, and empathy with, the industries and sectors served by the organisation.
• The ability to build relationships and network confidently with senior industry figures internationally.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport at all levels.
• An approachable, diplomatic, compassionate and inspirational leadership style.
• Strong delegation and organisational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
• The ability to strategically plan and drive departmental development.
• A willingness and ability to travel when required.

Desirable

• A recognised leadership qualification.
• Previous international travel experience.

Benefits

• 25–28 days' annual leave, dependent on length of service
• Life assurance
• Group personal pension plan
• Income protection
• Free on-site parking

Application Process

Closing date: 4th September 2026

First-stage interviews: 14th September 2026 – via Microsoft Teams

Second-stage interviews: 18th September 2026 – in person