Quality Control Laboratory Manager

CY Partners; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

CY Partners is seeking an experienced QC Manager to lead the QC laboratory within a fine chemicals manufacturing environment in the UK. The role focuses on ownership of analytical activities, safeguarding quality and regulatory compliance, and driving continuous improvement across the QC operation.

You will manage a QC team, oversee testing of raw materials, intermediates and finished products, and collaborate with Production, QA, R&D and Technical teams to resolve issues and ensure on-time

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemistry or equivalent with strong analytical chemistry background.
• Significant QC laboratory experience with leadership or management.
• Strong knowledge of GMP/ISO requirements and regulatory expectations.
• Experience leading investigations into OOS/OOT results and CAPA.
• Excellent communication across Production, QA, R&D and Technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop the QC laboratory team.
• Oversee routine and non-routine analytical testing of materials and finished products.
• Ensure timely, accurate data and laboratory documentation.
• Manage investigations into discrepancies, deviations and analytical issues.
• Support method development, validation and transfer activities as needed.
• Maintain GMP/ISO compliant lab procedures and equipment programs.

Skills

Laboratory leadership

Analytical testing

GMP/ISO compliance

OOS investigations

Cross-functional collaboration

Quality control in pharma

Education

Degree in Chemistry/Analytical Chemistry or related

Tools

HPLC

GC

GC–MS

LC–MS

FTIR

Wet chemistry

Job description

Industry: Fine Chemicals / Chemical Manufacturing

Job Type: Permanent

CY Partners are currently working with an established fine chemicals manufacturer to recruit an experienced QC Manager to lead their Quality Control function.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced analytical chemistry or QC professional to take ownership of a laboratory function within a technically focused manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring the quality, compliance and timely release of products, while supporting continuous improvement across the QC operation.

The Role

As QC Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management and development of the QC laboratory, ensuring that analytical activities are delivered safely, efficiently and in accordance with relevant quality and regulatory requirements.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading, managing and developing the QC team, including performance management, training and mentoring.
• Overseeing routine and non-routine analytical testing of raw materials, intermediates and finished products.
• Ensuring analytical results are accurate, reliable and delivered within agreed timelines.
• Managing investigations into OOS/OOT results, deviations and analytical issues.
• Supporting method development, validation, verification and transfer activities where required.
• Ensuring laboratory procedures, specifications, methods and documentation are maintained and compliant.
• Working closely with Production, QA, R&D and Technical teams to resolve quality and analytical issues.
• Maintaining laboratory standards in line with relevant GMP, ISO and/or customer requirements.
• Supporting internal and external audits and regulatory inspections.
• Identifying opportunities to improve laboratory processes, analytical capability and efficiency.
• Managing laboratory equipment, maintenance, calibration and associated suppliers.
• Ensuring appropriate health, safety and environmental standards are maintained within the laboratory.

About You

We are looking for an experienced QC or analytical chemistry professional with a strong background within fine chemicals, speciality chemicals, pharmaceuticals or a related manufacturing environment.

You will ideally have:

• A degree or equivalent qualification in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry or a related scientific discipline.
• Significant experience working within a QC laboratory, with previous experience of team leadership or laboratory management.
• Strong practical knowledge of analytical techniques such as HPLC, GC, GC-MS, LC-MS, FTIR and/or wet chemistry.
• Experience managing OOS investigations, deviations and laboratory-related quality issues.
• A good understanding of relevant quality and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across multiple functions.
• A hands-on and proactive approach to laboratory management and problem solving.

Experience within a GMP-regulated fine chemicals or pharmaceutical manufacturing environment would be highly advantageous.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to join a technically strong organisation where you will have genuine ownership of the QC function and the opportunity to influence laboratory strategy, standards and continuous improvement.

If you're an experienced QC professional looking for your next leadership opportunity within the fine chemicals sector, we'd be keen to hear from you.

We look forward to receiving your application