Laboratory Manager - Fixed Term Contract

Eurofins QTA Inc.; Linlithgow; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in life sciences is seeking a Laboratory Manager for their Food Testing Laboratory in Linlithgow. This full-time role involves overseeing laboratory operations, managing staff, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and fostering continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Microbiology or Biological Science and previous managerial experience in a laboratory setting. Join a team committed to making the world safer and healthier.

Benefits

Enhanced leave schemes

Pension

Life assurance

Healthcare

Family leave schemes

Employee assistance

Wellbeing programs

Free parking

International career opportunities

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of food testing laboratory activities.
• Previous supervisory or managerial experience in a busy lab.
• Proficiency in IT systems.

Responsibilities

• Managing the team, including recruitment and training.
• Ensuring compliance with the Laboratory Quality Manual.
• Overseeing staff training and maintaining equipment.

Skills

Leadership

Customer-focused attitude

Performance management

Education

Degree in Microbiology

Degree in Biological Science

Tools

LIMS

Spreadsheets

Databases

Job description

Laboratory Manager - Fixed Term Contract

Eurofins Scientific is an international life sciences company, providing a range of analytical testing services to clients across multiple industries. Our goal is to make life and our environment safer, healthier, and more sustainable. We work with major companies to ensure product safety, authenticity, and accurate labelling.

Eurofins is committed to societal health and safety, environmental protection, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across all our companies.

We are proud to be an armed forces-friendly employer and welcome applications from reservists, veterans, cadet instructors, and military spouses and partners.

If you are passionate about making the world safer and healthier, apply below to join the Eurofins network.

This role reports to the Business Unit Manager for Food Testing in Linlithgow. The main purpose is to oversee the safe, efficient, and high-quality operation of the Food Testing Laboratory.

This is a one-year fixed term, full-time position (40 hours/week, Monday to Friday, 09:30 - 18:00).

Responsibilities include:

1. Managing the team, including recruitment, scheduling, leave, sickness, training, mentoring, motivation, and disciplinary matters.
2. Maintaining staff skills training matrix.
3. Checking data transfer related to samples and results, issuing test reports, and ensuring confidentiality.
4. Collaborating with customers to meet their laboratory requirements.
5. Ensuring compliance with the Laboratory Quality Manual and related policies.
6. Handling complaints and investigations promptly and effectively.
7. Fostering a culture of continuous improvement to enhance performance.
8. Ensuring work meets client requirements within agreed timelines.
9. Overseeing staff training, competency, and documentation.
10. Maintaining and calibrating equipment, ensuring safety standards.
11. Maintaining the laboratory environment and liaising with facilities.
12. Completing internal and external audits.
13. Managing costs and supporting project and capital investment planning.
14. Monitoring KPIs to improve productivity and performance.
15. Managing waste and ensuring safety standards are met.
16. Ensuring procedures and sample handling are properly documented and followed.
17. Managing projects within scope, budget, and timeline, and communicating progress.
18. Coordinating with stock control for inventory management.
19. Promoting safety and safety training in line with health and safety regulations.
20. Encouraging a culture of ownership and continuous improvement among staff.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Degree or equivalent in Microbiology or Biological Science.
• In-depth knowledge of food testing laboratory activities.
• Knowledge of UKAS and ISO standards.
• Previous supervisory or managerial experience in a busy lab.
• Proficiency in IT systems, including LIMS, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Experience working with internal and external customers.
• Proven ability to meet and exceed targets.
• Strong leadership and performance management skills.
• Customer-focused attitude and a passion for safety.

At Eurofins, we celebrate achievements, support our employees, and are committed to charitable causes. Benefits include enhanced leave schemes, pension, life assurance, healthcare, family leave schemes, employee assistance, wellbeing programs, free parking, and international career opportunities.

Next Steps: We seek the right candidates to join our team. Selected applicants will be invited for assessments or interviews to showcase their skills and learn more about Eurofins.

We value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer, prohibiting discrimination based on gender, race, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or other characteristics.

Sustainability: We aim for carbon neutrality by 2025, implementing emission reduction and compensation initiatives, and encouraging sustainable practices at all levels.

For more information, visit our career page.