Laboratory Manager

ZipRecruiter; Leicester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a Laboratory Manager to lead a small team in a metallurgical lab. This role involves ensuring compliance across production and quality functions while managing daily lab operations. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in metallurgy and materials testing, along with strong leadership skills. You will oversee critical examinations, maintain lab standards, and collaborate with engineering and production teams to drive improvements. Join a forward-thinking company that values diversity and offers a supportive work environment, along with competitive benefits and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Company performance related bonus scheme

Increased pension schemes

Onsite and secure parking

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a metallurgical laboratory within manufacturing.
• Experience managing technical staff and ensuring compliance.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily lab operations and supervise technicians.
• Conduct metallurgical examinations and lead investigations.

Skills

Metallurgy

Materials Science

Metallographic Sample Preparation

Optical Microscopy

Mechanical Property Verification

Communication Skills

Organisational Skills

Technical Reporting

Education

Degree in Metallurgy or Materials Science

HNC/HND in related discipline

Tools

Microscopy Equipment

Hardness Testing Equipment

Job description

Job Description

Laboratory Manager

(Metals industry)

7:30am to 4:15pm Monday to Thursday and 7:30am to 12pm Friday

£50,000 - £60,000 per annum + strong benefits

Leicester

Our client, a well-established component manufacturer, is seeking a Laboratory Manager to join and lead its small lab department in Leicester, responsible for a team of two Laboratory Technicians. You will be key in ensuring metallurgical compliance across production, testing, and quality functions.

Key Requirements for Laboratory Manager role:

• Degree (or HNC/HND) qualified in Metallurgy, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
• Experience working in a metallurgical or materials testing lab (manufacturing, foundry, automotive, aerospace experience is advantageous).
• At least five years’ experience in a metallurgical laboratory within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing or supervising technical staff.
• Familiarity with forging, machining, and heat treatment processes relevant to critical component manufacturing.
• Proficient in metallographic sample preparation, optical microscopy, and mechanical property verification.
• Strong communication, organisational, and technical reporting skills.

Key Responsibilities for Laboratory Manager

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the metallurgical laboratory, including workload planning, testing, and documentation.
• Supervise and support two laboratory technicians, ensuring safe and efficient lab practices.
• Carry out and oversee metallurgical examinations including microstructure analysis, grain size, ratings, phase identification, and case depth measurements.
• Perform hardness testing and evaluate coating thickness, heat treatment results, and mechanical properties as required.
• Lead failure investigations using microscopy and other techniques, producing clear, detailed reports for internal and customer use.
• Ensure all laboratory activities meet relevant standards and specifications.
• Maintain all lab equipment, ensuring calibration, traceability, and audit readiness.
• Review material certification and support part qualification activities including FAIRs and customer approvals.
• Participate in internal and external audits, including Metallography and Hardness Testing assessments.
• Liaise with engineering, production, and quality teams to address metallurgical issues and support process improvements.

Other

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Company performance related bonus scheme
• Increased pension schemes
• Onsite and secure parking
• Other company perks provided.

Please note that full and permanent right to work in the UK is a non-negotiable requirement for this role. This employer is unable to offer visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Our client embraces diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. They welcome individuals from all walks of life, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or belief.

By applying through Green Folk Recruitment, you consent to share your information with our client for recruitment purposes. We handle your data with care, in line with our privacy policy for recruitment activities. All final hiring decisions rest solely with our client. For inquiries, contact Green Folk Recruitment for a transparent recruitment process. Green Folk Ltd acts as a recruitment agency for this vacancy.