Laboratory Team Leader

Job Description

Are You Ready to Make an Impact at RSSL? 
 

Join Our Mission to Transform Lives Through Science, Innovation and Collaboration 
 

At Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL), we lead the way in scientific analysis, research, consultancy, and training. We provide services to the food, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries, as well as our parent company, Mondelez International.

We are not just dedicated to delivering world-class scientific solutions and outstanding customer service, we are recognised for it.  We were named Best Performing Professional Services Company of the Year at the One Nucleus Awards and CRO of the Year at the OBN awards.  We were also finalists for multiple recent multiple awards recognising our commitment to skills and rising talent.

Purpose:

In RSSL we are customer focused, science led and results driven. The RSSL Nutritional laboratory performs a Group 2 nutritional analyses for a variety of food companies.

The Nutritional Team Leader role focuses on the maintenance and growth of services to clients and will manage operations and optimise a high-volume nutritional testing laboratory from end-to-end. This role focuses on the management of day-to-day activities, improving lean automated processes for rapid turnaround times, ensuring quality, safety, and compliance, and driving technological integration across all lab functions.

You will manage a team of scientific staff (c. 5 FTEs) and will be accountable for ensuring that work is processed in a timely fashion whilst adhering to the prerequisite quality standards expected by RSSL clients and stakeholders.

The individual in this position will have a deep understanding of laboratory operations, end to end workflow, automation, LIMS integration, process optimization, and management within a food or similar analytical environment.

The position will be primarily based at the Reading although may require attendance of any of the RSSL sites.

Primary Accountabilities / Responsibilities:

Technical

• Provide high quality customer service at all times by ensuring effective organisation of workload, integrity of analytical data generated and timely/accurate provision of results.

• Maintain a high level of competency in the use of the laboratories LIMS & data handling systems  to effectively manage workflow & monitor financial performance.

• Provide support to senior management to ensure the smooth business and scientific operation of the Laboratory.

• Optimize the sample flow management process, from sample receipt and booking to storage, analysis, and report release, with a strong focus on automation for lean operations.

• Flexibility to adjust changing priorities based on business/ stakeholder needs, lab capabilities and resourcing.

• Manage sample preparation logistics, ensuring efficient workflow and material handling.

• Collaborate with commercial to identify growth opportunities.

• Plan, allocate and administer resources to support business growth whilst managing the laboratory budget.

• Responsible for project delivery including checking analytical data and generation of certificate of analysis.

• Responsible for Quality and ensuring work is carried out to the highest standard, recorded as required quality standards and reported in a timely and professional manner.

Communication & Influence

• Support Food Sciences Group Leader to ensure achievement of principle accountabilities by selection, direction, motivation and management of staff within the Nutritional Laboratory.

• Effectively performance manage all direct reports to the required standard. 

• Apply strong interpersonal and networking skills to build and maintain effective working relationships with customers, partners, suppliers and staff.

• Liaise with clients, stakeholders, Technical specialist, Commercial and line management to ensure effective communication of proposals and results.

• Utilise technical and communication skills and actively leverage resources in the generation of new business.

Leadership and supervision

• Ensure performance & development reviews, including objective setting and personal development plans are carried out in accordance with company procedure. 

• Ensure all staff are trained in departmental methods and techniques and be accountable for maintaining a compliant training programme.

• Demonstrate strong organisational skills and a keen eye for detail.

QEHS

• Ensure laboratory procedures comply with, and that staff work to, the prerequisite standards dictated by company requirements.

• Embed & maintain Environment, Health & Safety commitments, and responsibilities.

• Write and approve SOPs and Test Methods.

• Generation and approval of Risk Assessments and COSHH.

• Ensure training records are accurate.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Language Requirements:

• Educated to Degree or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline or equivalent relevant experience in a laboratory.

• In-depth knowledge of both technical area of expertise & business environment.

• Substantial knowledge of Quality as applicable in the food industry (UKAS).

• Proven ability to lead, motivate & mentor a diverse group of scientific staff to achieve their respective targets/objectives – ability to manage teams through periods of change and able to mentor junior staff to develop abilities.

• Ability to plan strategically to ensure that adequate facility and resource is maintained/allocated. Meticulous attention to detail, excellent verbal, and written skills.

• Technical credibility (food) to develop good working relationships with internal and external clients.

• Previous experience in laboratory automation and IT integration

• Strong communication, networking and influencing skills and an ability to build customer confidence and commercial relationships.

• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders. Meticulous attention to detail.

• Proven track record of relevant laboratory experience.

• Experience in Operational Management.

• People Management, Developing and Coaching Others.

• Previous experience in successfully managing financial contracts & budgets with appreciation of the key financial drivers.

• English fluency (written and spoken)

More about this role

In return for your commitment, drive and enthusiasm, we offer an attractive benefits package within a highly successful international business that offers financial rewards and resources, including:

• Opportunities to learn and develop

• Performance Related Bonus scheme

• Contributory pension (between 8% to 11% employer contribution)

• Life assurance

• Personal Medical (Self)

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

• A flexible benefits programme (Gym discounts, private health insurance, restaurant discounts, etc).





Business Unit Summary

Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL) is a cutting-edge contract research organisation (CRO), providing research, analysis and consultancy to the food, consumer goods and life science sectors. Whether we are creating new products, validating medicines or solving investigations, we take pride in being a leader in our field, serving clients from across 70 countries. Enriched by our parent company, Mondelēz International, our team are committed to transforming lives through science, innovation and collaboration.

Curious about us and want to learn more?

Please explore:  Website   YouTube   LinkedIn   Glassdoor

RSSL is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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Job Type

RegularAnalytical ScienceScience & Engineering