Lab Services Assistant Team Leader

Pharmaron; Hoddesdon; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Pharmaron Hoddesdon is seeking a Lab Services Assistant Team Leader to join the Facilities Management team. You will deputise for the Lab Services Team Leader, lead Supervisors and operational colleagues, and ensure the delivery of lab services including stock, waste, shipping and general laboratory support.

The role demands strong leadership, experience in pharmaceutical operations or GMP-regulated environments, and a hands-on, safety-conscious approach.

Qualifications

• High school education or equivalent.
• Experience in a GMP‑regulated environment is desirable.
• Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders and managing competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Act as deputy to the Lab Services Team Leader, supporting operational decision‑making and continuity of service.
• Provide day‑to‑day leadership, coaching and supervision to assigned team members.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management and employee development.
• Coordinate laboratory service activities, including stock management, material movements, shipping and waste management.
• Ensure material orders, stock movements and related records are processed accurately and efficiently.
• Support dangerous goods activities and the compliant movement of chemicals and pharmaceutical materials.
• Build effective relationships with laboratory, facilities and operational stakeholders.
• Ensure activities are completed in accordance with SOPs, quality standards, GMP requirements and Health, Safety and Environmental procedures.
• Help manage changing priorities, operational cover and competing service requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to the development of more efficient working practices.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Stakeholder management

Chemical safety handling

Communication

MS Office

GMP awareness

Education

High school education or equivalent

GMP‑regulated environment experience

Tools

5S training

Lean methodologies

Job description

Lab Services Assistant Team Leader HoddesdonHoddesdonPharmaron is a global CRO helping pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies bring new therapies to life. With over 29,000 employees worldwide across 23 sites in the UK, US and China, we support drug discovery through to manufacturing with fully integrated, high-quality services. We’re proud of the impact we make and, just last year, we supported over 780 discovery projects, 1,000+ CMC programmes and 1,000+ clinical trials across all phases. Our teams are involved in everything from small molecules to gene therapies, and we work with more than 3,000 global customers.

We are seeking a Lab Services Assistant Team Leader to join our Facilities Management team at our Hoddesdon site. As the designated deputy to the Lab Services Team Leader, you will provide leadership and direction to Supervisors and operational colleagues, ensuring the effective delivery of Lab Services activities. You will take a hands‑on approach, working alongside the team to support business‑critical services including stock management, waste management, shipping and wider laboratory support activities across the site. You will also provide day‑to‑day leadership, coaching and supervision to assigned direct reports, while ensuring that activities are completed in accordance with applicable quality, safety and regulatory requirements.

This is an excellent opportunity for an organised and proactive individual with experience in pharmaceutical operations, laboratory services or a customer‑focused service environment. If you have strong leadership skills, enjoy managing operational priorities and are committed to delivering a high‑quality service, we would love to hear from you.

Please note: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position, now or in the future. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.

At Pharmaron we offer:

• Vibrant and dynamic employment within a highly specialised and growing company operating in a critical sector of the economy.
• Opportunities to develop your skills and progress your career through continued learning and professional development.
• A collaborative team culture where colleagues support one another and take pride in delivering a high-quality service.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as deputy to the Lab Services Team Leader, supporting operational decision‑making and continuity of service.
• Provide day‑to‑day leadership, coaching and supervision to assigned team members.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management and employee development.
• Coordinate laboratory service activities, including stock management, material movements, shipping and waste management.
• Ensure material orders, stock movements and related records are processed accurately and efficiently.
• Support dangerous goods activities and the compliant movement of chemicals and pharmaceutical materials.
• Build effective relationships with laboratory, facilities and operational stakeholders.
• Ensure activities are completed in accordance with relevant SOPs, quality standards, GMP requirements and Health, Safety and Environmental procedures.
• Help manage changing priorities, operational cover and competing service requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to the development of more efficient working practices.

Education, Experience and Qualifications

Essential

• High school education or equivalent.
• Previous experience within the pharmaceutical industry or a GMP‑regulated environment.
• Experience in a customer‑focused operational or service delivery role.
• Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders and managing competing priorities.
• Knowledge and experience of chemical safety and handling.
• Dangerous Goods qualifications covering road, air and sea transportation, including ADR, IATA and IMDG.
• A valid Counterbalance Forklift Truck Licence.
• Experience working with 5S and Lean methodologies.
• Strong organisational, administrative and prioritisation skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Good IT skills, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Leadership, coaching, feedback and performance management skills.

Desirable

• Previous leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience with the import and export of chemicals or pharmaceutical materials.
• Experience building relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

Why Pharmaron?

Collaborative Culture: Thrive in our inclusive and collaborative environment, where teamwork and innovation go hand in hand. Here, your voice matters and your contributions make a real impact. “Employees Number One” and “Clients Centred” are the core cultural values at Pharmaron. Our culture, which sets Pharmaron apart from other organisations, has evolved from our deep commitment to our employees, partners and collaborators.

Why Should You Apply?

• Take on a varied, hands‑on leadership role supporting essential laboratory operations.
• Develop your leadership, coaching and operational management experience.
• Work closely with scientific, operational and facilities teams across the site.
• Contribute to service improvements within a quality‑focused and regulated environment.
• Join a supportive team that values safety, collaboration and operational excellence.