Lab Manager

VRS UK; Irvine; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

VRS UK, based in Irvine, is seeking an energetic technical services leader to manage two specialist teams providing instrument support and laboratory services. You will lead hands-on engineering for HPLC and GC systems and support analytical chemists across the site.

You will drive safety, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement in a highly regulated environment, mentoring staff and delivering reliable, high‑quality service while building a culture of technical excellence.

Qualifications

• Strong practical experience with HPLC including troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Experience leading or supervising a small technical team.
• Experience in a highly regulated environment with quality systems and compliance.
• GC experience would be advantageous.
• Innovative and enthusiastic leader with a growth mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead two specialist teams delivering essential support to analytical chemists across site.
• Provide hands-on management while ensuring safety, regulatory compliance and service delivery.
• Coordinate instrument support for around 40 HPLC/GC systems and related consumables.
• Drive continuous improvement in laboratory operations and processes.

Skills

HPLC troubleshooting

Leadership experience

Regulated environment experience

GC experience

Growth mindset

Job description

Based on-site with a global pharmaceutical company, you'll manage the technical services that keep the laboratory running efficiently, from supporting a large suite of HPLC and GC instruments through to overseeing laboratory consumables, sampling and day-to-day laboratory support. The role combines technical leadership, problem solving and continuous improvement within a highly regulated scientific environment.

Do you have the following skills, experience and drive to succeed in this role Find out below.

The role

We're looking for an energetic, proactive leader who enjoys improving processes, developing people and delivering an outstanding service to key stakeholders, whilst still being happy to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in when needed.

You’ll lead two specialist teams (seven direct reports) providing essential support to analytical chemists across site. This is a hands‑on management role where you’ll ensure high standards of safety, regulatory compliance and service delivery are maintained at all times.

Your Teams Include

Laboratory Instrument Support – who provide on‑site engineering support for around 40 HPLC and GC systems. You’ll lead the team whilst providing hands‑on technical support, troubleshooting instrument issues, coordinating maintenance and helping to minimise downtime.

Technical Laboratory Services – who support analytical chemists through the preparation of mobile phases, raw material and stability sampling, consumables management, and solvent and contaminated waste disposal.

What we're looking for

• Strong practical experience with HPLC, including instrument troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Experience leading or supervising a small technical team.
• Experience working in a highly regulated environment (pharmaceutical, chemical, food, medical devices, oil & gas or similar), with a solid understanding of quality systems and compliance.
• GC experience would be highly advantageous.
• Innovative and enthusiastic leader with a growth mindset

This role would particularly suit someone working in laboratory instrument support, chromatography service engineering, laboratory operations or a technical laboratory leadership position.

This is an excellent opportunity to combine technical expertise with people leadership while making a real impact within a well‑established laboratory support function.