Principal Scientist

Affinity Water; Staines-upon-Thames; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility company in Staines-upon-Thames is seeking a Laboratory Manager to join their Scientific Services Management team. The role demands ensuring operational excellence and compliance with ISO17025 standards. Candidates should have a relevant science degree and experience with Drinking Water Quality standards. The position offers a competitive salary and various benefits, including learning opportunities and a generous pension scheme.

Benefits

Competitive salary dependant on skills and experience

Learning and development opportunities

Annual bonus scheme

Generous pension scheme

Life Assurance

Access to Wellbeing Centre

Qualifications

• Extensive experience of Drinking Water Quality standards and testing methods.
• You will either hold or be working towards chartered status of a DWI recognized professional body.
• Specialisation in chemistry or microbiology with a working knowledge of both disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Working closely with the Technical Manager to ensure compliance to ISO 17025.
• Ensuring samples are analysed in accordance with procedures and DWTS requirements.
• Proactively contributing to improvements and applying 'Lean' principles.

Skills

Experience in Drinking Water Quality standards

Knowledge of ISO 17025 requirements

Chemistry/Microbiology specialisation

Education

Recognised degree in a relevant science-based subject

Job description

Overview

Reporting to the Laboratory Technical Manager you will be an integral part of the Scientific Services Management team that ensures delivery of operational excellence whilst maintaining continual compliance with the ISO17025 and Drinking Water Testing Specifications (DWTS) standards. We are looking for an enthusiastic, confident, and motivated manager to work within a fast paced, high-throughput UKAS accredited laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Working closely with the Technical Manager to ensure continual compliance to ISO 17025 and maintaining UKAS accreditation.
• Ensuring that routine and non-routine samples are analysed in accordance with documented procedures and to UKAS (DWTS) requirements, within appropriate timescales.
• Proactively contributing to improvements and innovations within your team and applying "Lean" principles to the workplace to increase productivity and efficiency.
• Ensuring audits, procedures and method reviews are carried out in your area of responsibility according to annual schedules.
• Actively involved in the staff recruitment process, conducting staff performance reviews and assessments.
• Participating in internal and external training courses identified as appropriate to your continued development.
• Ensuring thorough investigations of non-conforming work and AQC failures are carried out and signed off in a timely manner.
• Ensuring team compliance with all health and safety procedures and monitoring performance against set targets.

Qualifications

• You will have a recognised degree in a relevant science-based subject, preferably chemistry/microbiology.
• You will either hold or be working towards chartered status of a Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) recognised professional body.
• Extensive experience of Drinking Water Quality standards, ISO 17025 requirements, DWTS and testing methods.
• Specialisation in chemistry or microbiology, with a working knowledge of both disciplines.

Organisational Values

• Affinity Water recognises the benefits of greater diversity in our workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We are committed to building a more inclusive culture where every member of our workforce can thrive.

Employee Experience

• You can find out what it's like to work at Affinity Water through our career site https://www.affinitywatercareers.co.uk/ where our colleagues share their career development stories and you can get a feel for our company culture.
• Competitive salary dependant on skills and experience
• Learning and development opportunities, including mentoring and a range of formal courses and open learning resources.
• Entry into the company annual bonus scheme.
• Annual leave from 26-30 rising with length of service, and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days.
• A 'Celebration Day' in addition to public holidays that people can use to celebrate a religious festival or other occasion that is important to them.
• A generous 'double match pension scheme' that doubles the contributions you make (company contribution capped at 12%).
• We offer a range of family benefits including enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support Leave and up to 5 full or 10 half days of paid Carers Leave.
• Menopause policy and Reasonable Adjustment policy to help everyone perform at their best.
• Access to our Wellbeing Centre with support for looking after your physical and mental health.
• Discounts at a Range of Retail Outlets and on Dental and Medical Insurance through our Tap4Perks scheme.
• Up to 4 Affinity days a year to volunteer in the community.
• Life Assurance.