Manager Laboratory Support

Nutreco; Boxmeer; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Nutreco is seeking a Lab Support Manager to lead a multidisciplinary support team and optimize daily operations across sample reception, preparation, and customer support. The role emphasizes process standardization, quality, and proactive problem solving in a fast-paced laboratory environment.

The ideal candidate has strong leadership, extensive laboratory operations experience, and excellent communication in Dutch and English.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of laboratory operations or support experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership or management position.
• Proven experience managing cross-functional teams in laboratory support or service environments.
• Strong focus on customer service and ability to manage internal customer relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the multidisciplinary support team.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of Sample Reception, Sample Preparation, Technical Support, and Customer Support.
• Collaborate with lab analysts and department leads to anticipate support needs and resolve operational challenges.
• Implement and maintain SOPs; ensure compliance with GLP, ISO and quality systems.

Skills

Team leadership

Customer service

Communication

Analytical skills

LIMS proficiency

Education

Analytical chemistry degree

Tools

LIMS

Job description

Lab Support Manager – Overview

Provides leadership and direction to a multidisciplinary support team, ensuring delivery of high‑quality, reliable services to the laboratory and its customers.

Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop the multidisciplinary support team.
• Set clear performance expectations and support ongoing training and professional development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Operational Oversight

• Oversee day‑to‑day operations of Sample Reception, Sample Preparation, Technical Support, and Customer Support functions.
• Ensure workflows are efficient, standardized, and aligned with laboratory needs.
• Maintain optimal resource planning and scheduling to meet fluctuating workloads.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Serve as a key liaison between Laboratory Support and the Operational Laboratory.
• Collaborate closely with lab analysts and department leads to anticipate support needs and resolve operational challenges.
• Ensure that support services enable timely and effective analysis.

Quality, Compliance and Safety

• Implement and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) across all support areas.
• Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with internal quality systems and relevant regulatory standards (e.g., GLP, ISO).
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure adherence to safety protocols.

Service Excellence & Customer Focus

• Monitor and improve service delivery to internal and external customers.
• Handle escalations and ensure high responsiveness to customer inquiries and operational issues.
• Gather feedback and drive initiatives to enhance customer experience.

Process Improvement & Innovation

• Identify opportunities for process optimization, automation, and standardization.
• Lead or contribute to projects aimed at increasing efficiency, accuracy, or service quality.
• Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for support services.

Logistics & Resource Coordination

• Ensure timely and accurate reception, logging, and tracking of samples.
• Oversee inventory and supply management related to support operations.
• Coordinate technical maintenance and troubleshooting to minimize lab downtime.

Organizational Context

The Laboratory Support Manager reports directly to the Laboratory Manager and works closely with Operational Lab Managers, Laboratory Analysts, and Quality Assurance personnel. The role acts as the key interface between support functions—Technical Support, Sample Reception, Sample Preparation, Customer Support—and the core analytical teams, enabling analytical teams to meet quality, throughput, and customer satisfaction targets. The manager also participates in strategic planning, continuous improvement initiatives, and cross‑functional decision‑making that support the overall performance and quality of the laboratory.

Requirements

• Strong focus on customer service with the ability to manage internal customer relationships and meet service delivery expectations.
• Higher education in analytical chemistry, biological chemistry, or a related field.
• 5+ years of laboratory operations or support experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership or management position.
• Proven experience managing cross‑functional teams, ideally in laboratory support or service environments.
• Experience in laboratory workflows, sample handling, or technical support, with a solid understanding of laboratory operations.
• Accurate and systematic.
• Good technical and computer skills; proficiency in using LIMS and standard office software (e.g., MS Office Suite).
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize work effectively in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment.
• Good analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Good communication skills in Dutch and English.
• Good cooperation skills.
• Proactive and self‑driven.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Nutreco is an equal opportunity employer; applicants are considered for all roles without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital, parental, military status or any other status protected by applicable local law. Please advise us at any point during the recruitment and selection process if you require accommodation.

Nutreco is committed to compliance with all applicable legislation, including providing accommodation for applicants with disabilities.