Laboratory Manager

Fletcher Building Limited; Portland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Education fund

Fletcher Building benefits

Inclusive culture

Job summary

Golden Bay Cement, part of the Fletcher Building Group, is seeking an experienced Laboratory Manager to lead the Portland laboratory and oversee testing, QA, and technical reporting across cement manufacturing processes.

You will manage a 6–10 person team, ensure ISO 17025 compliance, and drive continuous improvement, safety, and collaboration with production, technical, and commercial stakeholders. The role requires strong leadership and a passion for developing talent.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience within a laboratory environment in manufacturing or industrial settings.
• Strong knowledge of quality systems and ISO 17025 compliance.
• Experience in accredited lab environments and ISO quality systems.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret data and drive action.
• Excellent communication and ability to build credibility at all levels.
• Passion for developing high-performing teams and inclusive culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of 6–10 laboratory professionals.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and reliable testing of materials and products.
• Maintain laboratory accreditation and quality records.
• Oversee equipment calibration and data integrity.
• Partner with operations to optimise process performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and quality management systems.
• Support product development and external testing services.
• Champion health, safety, and environmental compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

People development

Education

Chemistry degree

Tools

XRF

XRD

Laboratory automation

Statistical process control

Job description

For more than 100 years, Golden Bay Cement has helped shape New Zealand's built environment. From the roads, bridges, and infrastructure that connect our communities to the homes and buildings we rely on every day, our products play a vital role in supporting the country's growth.

Today, as part of the Fletcher Building Group, we're focused on building a more sustainable future through innovation, technical excellence, and the talent of our people.

We're now looking for an experienced Laboratory Manager to lead our laboratory function at Portland and play a critical role in ensuring quality, performance, innovation, and operational excellence across our manufacturing operations.

This is an opportunity to make a genuine impact by leading a skilled team, influencing business decisions, and helping shape the future capability of the laboratory.

As Laboratory Manager, you'll lead a team of laboratory professionals responsible for delivering the testing, quality assurance, and technical information that underpins safe, efficient, and compliant cement manufacturing.

You'll create an environment where people are supported to learn, grow, and perform at their best. Through coaching, mentoring, and leadership, you'll build capability across the team while fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Working closely with manufacturing, technical, and commercial stakeholders, you will:

• Lead and develop a team of 6-10 laboratory professionals, providing coaching, succession planning, and performance development.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and reliable testing of raw materials, production processes, finished products, research and development initiatives, and external customer samples.
• Maintain laboratory accreditation, quality systems, and ISO/IEC 17025 compliance, ensuring confidence in all testing and reporting activities.
• Oversee laboratory equipment, calibration programmes, quality records, data integrity, and testing methodologies.
• Partner with operational teams to optimise process performance, improve product quality, and support manufacturing excellence.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, implementing best-practice laboratory and quality management systems.
• Support product innovation, research and development projects, and opportunities to expand external testing services.
• Champion health, safety, environmental compliance, and a culture where people look out for one another.

What you'll bring

You'll be a collaborative and empowering leader who enjoys developing others and building strong relationships across a business. You'll combine technical expertise with a practical mindset and be comfortable translating complex information into insights that drive action and results.

• Proven leadership experience within a laboratory environment, ideally in manufacturing, mining, cement, lime, aggregates, or another industrial setting.
• A strong understanding of quality systems, laboratory testing, process control, and continuous improvement principles.
• Experience working within accredited laboratory environments and knowledge of ISO quality systems and laboratory compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify opportunities, and support informed decision-making.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build credibility with people at all levels of the organisation.
• A passion for developing high-performing teams and creating an inclusive, supportive workplace culture.

Ideally, you'll also have:

• A tertiary qualification in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Process Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience in cement manufacturing.
• Exposure to XRF, XRD, automated laboratory systems, statistical process control, or project management.

Why join Golden Bay?

At Golden Bay, you'll join a business with a proud legacy and an exciting future. We are committed to creating an environment where our people feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow their careers.

• Competitive salary package
• Southern Cross health insurance
• Employee Education Fund and ongoing development opportunities
• Access to Fletcher Building benefits and discounts
• A supportive, inclusive culture focused on safety, wellbeing, and continuous learning
• The opportunity to lead a critical function within one of New Zealand's most significant manufacturing operations

If you're a people-focused leader who enjoys building capability, driving quality, and making a meaningful contribution to business performance, we'd love to hear from you.

Research shows that females and minority groups don't apply for roles unless they match 100% the job description.

We are proud of your diversity and see it as one of the things that make us stronger. We welcome your individuality and encourage you to bring your true self to work.