Preparation Manager

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense; Bracknell; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and development opportunities

Shaping team culture

Internal progression opportunities

Job summary

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense is looking for a Preparation Manager to lead their operations team in Bracknell. This role focuses on people leadership, operational delivery, and maintaining a collaborative culture. Candidates should have a strong understanding of laboratory standards and excellent communication skills.

The role includes responsibilities like staff development, overseeing workflow, ensuring safety standards, and maintaining customer relationships. Join a respected organization offering opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of ISO, UKAS, and audit requirements.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and coaching skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with strong attention to detail.
• Self-motivated, collaborative, and confident in driving team performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the operations team to drive high performance.
• Oversee workflow and resource planning to meet turnaround times.
• Communicate operational updates clearly across teams.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety and accreditation requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Coaching

Attention to detail

Team performance management

Job description

Preparation Manager – Overview

We are looking for an experienced and people‑focused Preparation Manager to lead our busy operations team at NRM Bracknell. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic leader who thrives in a fast‑paced laboratory environment and is passionate about driving performance, engagement, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• People Leadership
  • Lead, coach, and develop your team to drive high performance and engagement.
  • Conduct regular 1:1s, feedback sessions, performance reviews, and development planning.
  • Manage recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing staff training.
  • Ensure training records, competence, and performance standards are fully maintained.
  • Foster a positive, collaborative culture aligned with our values and People Leader expectations.
• Operational Delivery
  • Oversee workflow, resource planning, and staff allocation to meet turnaround times.
  • Ensure all processes, equipment, and documentation meet UKAS and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
  • Troubleshoot technical issues and support method development alongside the Technical Team.
  • Maintain data integrity, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement using EBOS tools.
  • Support implementation and effective use of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Work closely with Customer Services, Business Development and Technical Services.
  • Support client meetings and maintain excellent customer relationships.
  • Communicate operational updates clearly and professionally across teams.
• Quality, Safety & Compliance
  • Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety, COSHH, SOPs, and accreditation requirements.
  • Oversee non-conforming work investigations and corrective actions.
  • Maintain a safe, clean, audit‑ready laboratory environment.
  • Act as Fire Marshal, First Aider, Internal Auditor or Key Holder when required.

Qualifications

• Essential
  • Strong understanding of ISO, UKAS, and audit requirements.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and coaching skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities with strong attention to detail.
  • Self‑motivated, collaborative, and confident in driving team performance.
  • Hands‑on approach with the ability to influence and motivate others.
• Desirable
  • Experience working in a laboratory environment with good operational knowledge.
  • Experience within a UKAS‑accredited laboratory.
  • Knowledge of food/feed or chemistry-based laboratory techniques.

Why Join Us?

• A key leadership role within a respected and growing organisation.
• Opportunity to shape team culture and drive operational excellence.
• Training, development, and internal progression opportunities.
• Work in a collaborative environment where your ideas and leadership matter.

Apply

If you are an engaging leader with strong laboratory knowledge and a passion for driving people and performance, we’d love to hear from you.