Laboratory Manager - Base Metals

ALS; Knowsley; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Attractive Salary

Private Healthcare

Discretionary annual bonus

Life Assurance

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

6% employer pension

Free parking

Fully subsidised staff canteen

Job summary

ALS in Prescot is seeking a Laboratory Manager for the Base Metals department. The role leads lab personnel, ensures ISO 17025 and UKAS compliance, and drives safety, quality and efficiency across daily operations.

Responsibilities include resource planning, workflow management and staff development to sustain high-quality outputs and continuous improvement in a fast-paced lab environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemistry or Applied Chemistry or related discipline or equivalent (HNC/HND).
• Experience leading a small laboratory team.
• Minimum 5 years in lab operations with analytical equipment.
• Knowledge of ISO 17025 requirements.
• Experience leading, managing and developing people.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
• GCSE English and Maths or equivalent.
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office.
• Commitment to equal opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop laboratory personnel, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Oversee departmental activities to ensure ISO17025, UKAS, quality and safety compliance.
• Manage workflow and departmental performance to meet customer and business needs.
• Allocate resources to support safe, efficient lab operations.
• Monitor performance and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality and productivity.
• Provide training, competency assessments and development for all staff.
• Promote a strong quality culture across the department.
• Manage non-conformances, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Support maintenance of analytical equipment and lab systems.

Skills

People management

Quality systems

Operational planning

Continuous improvement

Training & development

Safety compliance

Resource allocation

Education

Degree in Chemistry or Applied Chemistry

HNC/HND in Applied Chemistry or related science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

At ALS, we encourage you to dream big.

When you join us, you’ll be part of a global team harnessing the power of scientific testing and data-driven insights to build a healthier future.

Laboratory Manager - Base Metals

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Laboratory Manager for our Base Metals department to join our team in Prescot. This is an excellent opportunity for an organised and forward-thinking laboratory professional to lead departmental operations, develop people and drive a strong culture of quality, safety and continuous improvement. You will play a key role in ensuring the laboratory operates safely, efficiently and in accordance with ISO 17025, UKAS and company requirements.

About the Role:

• Location: Prescot


• Hours Per Week: 37.5


• Shift/Hours: Monday to Friday (07:30 - 16:00)


• Contract: Full Time & Permanent


• Closing Date: Tuesday 15th September 2026

The Day to Day

• Lead, manage and develop laboratory personnel, fostering accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.


• Oversee departmental activities to ensure compliance with ISO 17025, UKAS, quality, safety and company requirements.


• Manage workflow, operational priorities and departmental performance in line with customer and business needs.


• Allocate resources effectively to support safe, efficient and productive laboratory operations.


• Monitor performance and implement corrective actions where required.


• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality, productivity, efficiency and operational effectiveness.


• Ensure appropriate training, competency assessment and development for all department personnel.


• Promote an exceptional quality culture across the department.


• Ensure the effective management of non-conformances, risks and opportunities for improvement.


• Support the use and maintenance of associated analytical equipment and laboratory systems.

The Essentials

• A degree in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry or a related scientific discipline; alternatively, an HNC/HND in Applied Chemistry or a related science subject.


• Experience of managing a small team within a laboratory environment.


• A minimum of five years’ experience in laboratory operations, including experience with associated analytical equipment.


• A working knowledge of quality systems and ISO 17025 requirements.


• Previous experience of leading, managing or developing people within a laboratory environment.


• Strong organisational and performance-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.


• A positive attitude and a right-first-time mindset.


• Good manual dexterity and the ability to concentrate for extended periods.


• A willingness to learn and support the development of others.


• GCSE English and Maths, or equivalent.


• Basic proficiency in English and Maths.


• Good IT skills, including Microsoft packages.


• An understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities.

Our Benefits Include:

• Attractive Salary


• Private Healthcare


• Discretionary annual bonus


• Life Assurance


• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays


• 6% employer pension


• Free parking


• Fully subsidised staff canteen

Working at ALS

The ALS team is a diverse and dedicated community united by our passion to make a difference in the world.

Our values are important to us, and shape how we work, how we treat each other and how we recognise excellence.

At ALS, you’ll be supported to develop new skills and reach your full potential. We invest in our people with programs and opportunities that help you build a diverse career with us.

We want everyone to have a safe, flexible and rewarding career that makes a positive impact on our people, the planet and our communities.

Everyone Matters

ALS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where the strengths and perspectives of each employee are both recognised and valued.

ALS also welcomes applications from people with all levels of ability. Reasonable adjustments to support candidates throughout the recruitment process are available upon request.

Eligibility

To be eligible to work at ALS you must be a Citizen or Permanent Resident of the country you are applying for, or either hold or be able to obtain, a valid working visa.