Lab Manager

Pioneer Selection Ltd; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK manufacturer is seeking a Lab Manager to lead its product testing laboratory. This role involves managing daily lab operations, overseeing staff, and ensuring high-quality testing standards. Candidates should have prior lab management experience and a strong technical background in refrigeration, air-conditioning, or heat pump systems. The position offers training opportunities, a competitive salary of £50k plus benefits, and a collaborative work environment with engineering teams across Europe.

Benefits

Training and progression opportunities

24 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension + bonus scheme

Qualifications

• Previous Lab manager experience.
• Desirable experience with refrigeration, AC or heat-pump systems.
• Practical lab/test environment experience.
• Strong analytical and diagnostic skills.

Responsibilities

• Run and oversee all daily laboratory operations.
• Ensure test rigs, tools, and equipment are safe, calibrated, and fully operational.
• Record, analyze, and interpret test data.
• Support troubleshooting and design improvements.
• Maintain compliance and calibration across instruments.
• Manage and mentor Lab Technicians.
• Plan and schedule test activities.
• Develop and update test procedures.
• Provide technical input in product development discussions.
• Ensure safety and compliance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Diagnostic skills

Technical knowledge in refrigeration/AC/heat-pump

Lab management

Job description

Lab Manager

Ipswich

Salary : £50,000 + benefits (flexible for an exceptional candidate)

Hours : Mon–Fri, 8 : 30–5 : 00 (37.5 hrs / week)

A leading UK manufacturer in the refrigeration, heat pump and HVAC sector is seeking an Lab Manager to take ownership of its product testing laboratory. Supplying major supermarkets and food manufacturers across the country, this organisation produces fully bespoke systems manufactured on-site at its Ipswich facility.

As part of continued expansion, the business is looking for a technically strong and hands‑on Lab Manager to drive testing excellence and support innovation across its product lines.

The Opportunity

This is a practical, lab-based leadership role ideal for someone with strong technical expertise in refrigeration, air-conditioning or heat-pump systems. You will oversee all daily operations of the R&D test lab, ensuring high-quality testing, reliable data, and alignment with engineering and product development activities.

You will initially manage one Lab Technician, with a second hire planned for Summer 2026.

Key Responsibilities

• Run and oversee all daily laboratory operations
• Ensure test rigs, tools and equipment are safe, calibrated and fully operational
• Record, analyse and interpret test data (temperatures, pressures, energy use, cycle efficiency, noise levels, diagnostics)
• Support troubleshooting, root‑cause analysis and design improvements
• Maintain compliance and calibration across instruments, sensors and data‑logging equipment
• Manage and mentor Lab Technicians, allocating tasks and reviewing progress
• Assist with performance, reliability, endurance, environmental and fault‑condition testing
• Plan and schedule test activities to meet R&D and engineering project deadlines
• Develop, update and improve test procedures, standards and lab documentation
• Provide technical input in product development discussions
• Ensure safety, adherence to SOPs and compliance with regulations

About You

Essential :

• Previous Lab manager experience
• Desirable experience with refrigeration, AC or heat-pump systems
• Practical lab / test environment experience
• Strong analytical and diagnostic skills

What’s on Offer

• Training and progression opportunities within a market‑leading organisation
• Collaboration with wider engineering teams across Europe
• 24 days holiday + bank holidays (including Christmas shutdown)
• Pension + bonus scheme