Laboratory Manager - Analytical Testing

Cerbercat LLC; Blackwood; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading testing organization in the UK seeks a Laboratory Manager to oversee their analytical testing facility in South Wales. This role involves leading a team to perform a range of analytical tests on drinking water samples, ensuring compliance with ISO standards, and driving operational excellence. The ideal candidate will have proven leadership experience in a scientific environment and possess strong management and analytical skills, making a significant impact on public health and quality assurance.

Benefits

Health cover

Company sick pay

Income protection

Wellbeing support

Paid Mental Wellness Day

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience within a scientific or laboratory environment.
• Strong management skills, with a track record of motivating and empowering teams.
• Technical proficiency in analytical laboratory operations and safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and empower analytical laboratory staff to achieve their best.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and development of team members.
• Ensure compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards and Health & Safety requirements.
• Collaborate with Account Management to maximize client satisfaction.

Skills

Leadership

Team Management

Process Management

Analytical Skills

Financial Acumen

Education

Degree in a relevant technical discipline

Job description

Are you an inspiring leader with a scientific background, ready to empower teams and drive operational excellence? Do you want to be at the heart of the UK's largest independent water testing facility - where your expertise helps safeguard drinking water quality for millions?

NSF is seeking a Laboratory Manager to lead our analytical testing laboratory in Oakdale, South Wales. Reporting to the Director Labs UK, you'll manage a talented team dedicated to performing a diverse range of analytical tests on water samples and materials that come into contact with drinking water. You'll ensure all work meets ISO/IEC 17025 standards and national/international regulations, using your scientific skills in a leadership role that drives operational excellence and makes a real difference to public health.

What We Offer

• On-site Leadership: Be at the heart of our analytical testing laboratory, leading from the front - guiding a team of nine direct reports and collaborating with cross-functional partners to drive innovation and excellence.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Health cover, company sick pay, income protection, and wellbeing support.
• Empowering Culture: Join a team where diversity, inclusion, and safety are core values and where your leadership will make a real impact.
• Wellbeing & Volunteering: Access our Employee Assistance Programme, enjoy a paid Mental Wellness Day, and take paid time off to support causes you care about.
• Lab Excellence: Apply your scientific expertise in a hands‑on environment, shaping best practice and driving continuous improvement as a manager.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and empower analytical laboratory staff to achieve their best, fostering a collaborative and high‑performance environment.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and development, ensuring your team has the skills and support needed to excel.
• Optimise laboratory workflows and processes, driving operational efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Ensure full compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards and Health & Safety requirements.
• Manage a diverse portfolio of analytical tests, including water sample analysis (colour, turbidity, metal content by ICP‑MS), product testing, odour/flavour assessments, and basic microbiological work.
• Collaborate with Account Management and laboratory teams to plan and prioritise work, maximising client satisfaction and revenue.
• Monitor laboratory income, budgets, and KPIs, identifying opportunities for growth and improvement.
• Champion a strong safety culture and promote open communication across the team.

Support implementation of lean methodologies and best practices.

• Qualifications: Proven leadership experience within a scientific or laboratory environment.
• High standard of education, ideally with a degree in a relevant technical discipline.
• Strong management skills, with a track record of motivating and empowering teams.
• Excellent process management abilities, with experience in workflow optimisation and continuous improvement.
• Business management and financial acumen.

Technical proficiency in analytical laboratory operations and safety requirements.

Our Culture

• Do the Right Thing
• Treat People Well
• Relentlessly Pursue Excellence
• We are one NSF.

These principles drive everything we do - from client service to internal collaboration.

Ready to lead and inspire? Apply now with your CV and cover letter. Join us and make a difference in a team that values your expertise and leadership!

About Us: With a legacy spanning more than 80 years, NSF leverages science and innovation to improve human and planet health. We provide science-driven, independent testing, inspection, certification, and advisory services and develop the very standards that drive the food, water, and life sciences industries worldwide. We empower our clients to navigate shifting regulations to improve consumer health, safety, and quality of life.

One of our core values is We Are One NSF. This means that while we're one team, we embrace the cultural, ethnic, language, and demographic diversity that reflects the societies in which we live and work.

Come join a team that makes a difference in the world. More information about NSF can be found at nsf.org.

NSF is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability.

Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Please note that NSF is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies/search firms for this role. Resumes submitted to an NSF employee by a third‑party agency without a valid written & signed search agreement between NSF and said third‑party agency will become the sole property of NSF. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.

About the Team: NSF's global network of state‑of‑the‑art laboratories is the "backbone" of NSF's comprehensive testing and certification services. Staffed by engineers, chemists, microbiologists and toxicologists, we offer world‑class technical expertise across the food, water and life sciences industries.