Team Leader

ALS Laboratories (UK) Ltd; Chatteris; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 25–30 days

Buy annual leave

Enhanced sickness pay

Salary progression scheme

Perkbox membership

Learning/study support

Group personal pension

Car parking on-site

Job summary

ALS Laboratories (UK) Ltd in Chatteris is seeking an experienced Sample Preparation Team Leader to drive daily operations in a busy, high-throughput laboratory environment. You will lead the team, manage workloads, and ensure accuracy and compliance across all tasks in the sample preparation area.

The role requires hands-on leadership, proactive problem solving, strong communication, and the ability to develop staff.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a laboratory team in a commercial, high-volume setting.
• Thrives in a busy environment with multitasking and tight deadlines.
• Strong scheduling, resource planning and performance monitoring skills.
• Good communicator with hands-on leadership and development focus.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations in the Sample Preparation room and manage workload.
• Distribute samples based on priority, due dates and resources.
• Manage staff rotas, holidays, and HR-related matters.
• Oversee equipment checks and monitor consumables and storage.
• Ensure training is delivered and records kept up to date.
• Support quality audits and corrective actions, maintain compliance.

Skills

Team leadership

Laboratory management

Problem solving

Communication

Tools

Balance calibration

Sieve calibration

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. The Role Are you an experienced Laboratory Team Leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-throughput environment? We're looking for a dedicated and hands-on Sample Preparation Team Leader to join our dynamic laboratory team. You’ll play a key role in managing the day-to-day operations of a busy sample prep area, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance across all tasks. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with previous commercial lab experience who is confident leading a team and passionate about delivering quality results under pressure.

Shift: Monday to Friday 7am to 3pm or Tuesday or Saturday 7am to 3pm Salary: £29,633 Location: Chatteris Contract: Full-Time and Permanent

The day to day Leading the day-to-day operations in the Sample Preparation room, staying close to the action and supporting the team with real-time problem solving. Organising workload and distributing samples based on priority, due dates, and available resources, while ensuring compliance with internal processes. Managing staff rotas, holiday cover, overtime, and HR-related matters such as return-to-work meetings and performance discussions. Overseeing equipment checks, including daily balance and sieve calibrations, as well as monitoring consumables and storage areas. Ensuring training is delivered effectively and recorded accurately, with AllStar learning and training folders kept up to date. Supporting quality audits, investigations, and corrective actions, and maintaining a clean, safe and compliant laboratory environment.

The Essentials

You have demonstrable experience leading a laboratory team, ideally in a commercial, high-volume lab setting. You thrive in a busy environment and are confident in managing multiple priorities and tight deadlines. You’re a proactive problem-solver who can remain calm under pressure and support your team through challenges. You’re confident with scheduling, resource planning, and performance monitoring. You have a strong understanding of lab procedures, quality systems, and equipment maintenance. You’re a great communicator with a supportive, hands-on leadership style and a passion for developing others.

Our benefits include:

• Annual Leave commencing at 25 days (rising to 30) plus 8 public holidays (pro rata for part time)
• Ability to Buy annual leave.
• Enhanced Company Sick Pay Scheme
• Salary Progression Scheme based on technical and behavioural competencies.
• ‘Celebrating Success’ Recognition Awards
• Perkbox membership providing access to discount vouchers and wellness hub.
• Learning/study support
• Group Personal Pension Plan
• Car Parking on-site
• 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.

ALS is a global leader in testing, providing comprehensive testing solutions to clients in a wide range of industries around the world. Using advanced technologies and innovative methods, we help our clients leverage data-driven insights for a safer and healthier world. Our people are the heart of our business, driving testing solutions and innovations to solve complex challenges and create lasting value for our clients. But most importantly, our people care – for each other and for the work we do. With over 20,000 team members across 70 countries, you’ll be part of a global network.