Analytical Lab Manager

Abbott Laboratories; Pokeno; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott Laboratories in New Zealand is seeking an experienced Laboratory Manager - Analytical to lead the analytical laboratory operations and ensure compliant, high-quality testing services supporting manufacturing and product quality.

The role requires strong leadership, deep knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025, and hands-on governance of LIMS and analytical methods, along with driving quality improvement and regulatory readiness across the site in Pokeno.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years’ laboratory leadership experience in a regulated environment.
• Strong knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage analytical laboratory operations to deliver accurate testing and timely results.
• Maintain ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and Abbott quality standards across the lab.
• Act as laboratory representative during accreditation assessments and regulatory inspections.
• Provide technical leadership over analytical methods, specifications and testing protocols.
• Ensure validation, verification, measurement uncertainty and QC programs are in place and effective.
• Govern LIMS governance, data integrity, access controls and system validation.
• Review investigations, technical assessments, and quality decisions within authority.
• Develop and maintain laboratory capability through training and competency programs.
• Manage lab resources, equipment, and facilities to stay calibrated and fit-for-purpose.
• Oversee external testing providers and ensure performance monitoring and CAPA.

Skills

Laboratory leadership

Regulatory compliance

Quality systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry

Analytical Science or related discipline

Tools

LIMS

Analytical instrumentation

Job description

Abbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people’s health. We’re always looking towards the future, anticipating changes in medical science and technology.

Our Nutrition business develops science-based nutrition products for people of all ages, from helping babies and children grow, to keeping adult bodies strong and active. Millions of people around the world count on our leading brands, including Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, Ensure® and Glucerna®, to help get the nutrients they need to live their healthiest life.

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You will have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Benefits that support you and your family to stay healthy, financially secure, and supported throughout life's journey, including comprehensive medical insurance coverage, wellbeing support, and competitive rewards that recognize your contributions.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.

The Opportunity

As the Laboratory Manager - Analytical, you will be responsible for leading the analytical laboratory function to ensure accurate, timely, scientifically valid and compliant testing services that support manufacturing operations, product quality, customer requirements, Abbott Global Quality Standards, ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation requirements and New Zealand regulatory obligations.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and manage laboratory operations to ensure analytical testing services are delivered safely, accurately efficiently and within agreed service levels.
• Maintain compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, Abbott quality standards and applicable regulatory requirements, ensuring ongoing laboratory accreditation.
• Act as the laboratory representative during accreditation assessments, regulatory inspections, customer audits and external reviews.
• Provide technical leadership and oversight of analytical methods, specifications, testing protocols and scientific decision-making.
• Ensure analytical methods, validation, verification, measurement uncertainty, proficiency testing and quality control programmes are effectively implemented and maintained.
• Provide governance and oversight of the LIMS, ensuring system compliance, validation, security, data integrity, user access controls and alignment with ISO/IEC 17025, regulatory and business requirements.
• Review and approve laboratory investigations, technical assessments, analytical results and quality decisions within delegated authority.
• Develop and maintain laboratory capability through effective competency, training, qualification and authorization programmes.
• Manage laboratory resources, facilities, equipment and systems to ensure they remain calibrated, maintained and fit for purpose.
• Oversee the qualification, governance and performance monitoring of contract laboratories and external testing providers.
• Monitor laboratory performance, trends, OOS/OOT results, non-conformances and risks, ensuring effective investigation, CAPA implementation and risk mitigation.
• Support compliance with MPI requirements, Dairy Processing Specifications, export certification obligations and other applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Provide analytical expertise to support product development, process improvement, validation, innovation and business improvement initiatives.
• Drive a culture of quality, operational excellence and continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance laboratory performance, efficiency, compliance, capability and customer outcomes.
• Lead, develop and manage an effective, engaged and motivated team.
• Maintain a supportive, collaborative working environment in line with Abbott core values.
• Coordinate and oversee employee training and development and equip employees with the resources available at Abbott to support their career.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Analytical Science, Food Science, Microbiology or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 7 years’ laboratory experience, including leadership responsibility within a regulated food, dairy, pharmaceutical, medical device or nutrition environment.
• Strong knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation requirements, laboratory quality systems and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated experience leading laboratory investigations, CAPA, audits and non-conformance management.
• Proven ability to lead and develop technical teams while managing laboratory operations and performance.

Desirable

• Knowledge of New Zealand dairy regulations, MPI requirements, export certification and infant nutrition products.
• Experience with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and laboratory data management.
• Experience in statistical trending, data analysis and performance monitoring.
• Technical expertise with advanced analytical instrumentation and laboratory technologies.
• Experience supporting method validation, laboratory improvement or technology implementation projects.

Location

This position is based in Pokeno, New Zealand.

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life.

Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

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