Technical Laboratory Manager

- United States - VWR International; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor in Cambridge, UK is seeking a Technical Laboratory Manager to lead daily operations across multiple laboratories. You will be the main point of contact for users, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient lab practices while supporting space planning and equipment lifecycle.

The role focuses on HSE leadership, training, and continuous improvement, partnering with scientists, facilities teams, and suppliers to maintain uninterrupted operations in a modern research environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Sciences, or related field.
• Experience managing or supporting laboratory operations.
• Strong knowledge of lab HSE, risk management, and compliance.
• Experience coordinating multiple laboratories and collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Hands-on approach with laboratory users and scientific teams.
• Excellent organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day operation of multiple laboratories.
• Be main contact for laboratory users; provide guidance.
• Drive HSE compliance across labs.
• Lead safety activities, risk assessments, and corrective actions.
• Coordinate maintenance, servicing, calibration, and lifecycle of equipment.
• Partner with scientists, facilities teams, contractors, and suppliers.
• Deliver laboratory inductions, training, and ongoing support.
• Manage consumables and cold storage areas.
• Lead sustainability and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support space planning, utilisation, and optimisation projects.

Skills

Lab ops leadership

HSE compliance

Stakeholder collab

Training & inductions

Organisational skills

Problem solving

Education

Degree in Chemistry or related field

Tools

IQ/OQ/PQ knowledge

Job description

Technical Laboratory Manager

Cambridge, UK

Permanent

Key Responsibilities

• Support the day-to-day operation of multiple laboratories across the site.
• Act as the main point of contact for laboratory users, providing practical support and guidance.
• Drive a strong culture of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) compliance across laboratory spaces.
• Lead laboratory safety activities, inspections, risk assessments, and corrective actions.
• Coordinate laboratory equipment maintenance, servicing, calibration, and lifecycle planning.
• Partner with scientists, facilities teams, contractors, and suppliers to ensure uninterrupted laboratory operations.
• Deliver laboratory inductions, training, and ongoing support to laboratory users.
• Manage laboratory consumables, cold storage areas, and operational processes.
• Lead sustainability and continuous improvement initiatives within the laboratories.
• Support laboratory space planning, utilisation, and optimisation projects.

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Degree in Chemistry , Chemical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
• Previous experience managing or supporting laboratory operations in a scientific environment.
• Strong knowledge of laboratory Health , Safety , risk management, and compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting multiple laboratories and collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Hands-on approach with a genuine interest in working closely with laboratory users and scientific teams.
• Excellent organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Desirable

• IOSH certification or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
• Experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, research, or life sciences environments.
• Knowledge of equipment qualification processes (IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Experience with continuous improvement or process optimisation initiatives.

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a leading scientific organisation where you'll have a visible impact on laboratory performance, safety, and user experience. You'll work closely with researchers, influence site-wide laboratory operations, and play a key role in enabling world-class science in a modern research environment.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.

The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.

We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world.

EEO Statement:

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

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