Laboratory Manager - Fixed Term Contract

This position will be reporting to the Business Unit Manager for Food Testing in Linlithgow, the purpose of this role is to be responsible for the safe, efficient and high quality operation for the Food Testing Laboratory. 

This is a one year fixed term contract, working full time 40 hours per week Monday to Friday 09.30 - 18:00 

• To manage the team, including recruitment, rotas, leave, sickness, training and development, mentoring, motivation and disciplinary matters.
• To manage and maintain staff skills training matrix that is up to date at all times. 
• Responsible for checking transfer of data relating to samples and results and issuing of test reports and confidentiality of information. 
• To work closely with customers and translate those requirements into the laboratory. 
• Knowledge of Laboratory Quality Manual in order to ensure compliance at all times with the policies, procedures and associated documents which are referred to in the manual. 
• Ensure complaints and investigations are completed to a high standard and in a timely manner. . 
• Develop a culture of continuous improvement in the laboratory leading to improvement in performance. 
• Ensure that all work is carried out in accordance with clients’ requirements within agreed time scales. 
• Ensure that staff are suitably trained and all training documents are suitably maintained including ongoing competency. 
• Ensure all equipment is maintained, calibrated and serviced to the correct standard ensuring it is all safe to operate. 
• Ensure the laboratory facility and environment is maintained to an acceptable level, liaising with local facilities and other stakeholders as appropriate.  
• Ensure complaints and NCWs are completed to a high standard and in a timely manner as defined in KPI. 
• Complete internal audits in-line with the audit schedule for the site. 
• Participate in external audits. 
• Control of costs to budget/agreed targets in particular consumables and labour. 
• Support for projects and production of capital investment requirements on annual basis. 
• Use KPIs to monitor and improve the laboratory’s productivity and performance. 
• Manage waste through the laboratory ensuring this is minimized. 
• Ensure the laboratory is operating to a safe standard with risk assessments, SSOW are in place and to a high standard. 
• Ensure that all work carried out complies with documented procedures for all aspects of laboratory work, that all relevant information concerning samples is recorded, that samples are handled correctly, that worksheets are kept in an orderly manner.
• Manage projects in line with agreed time, budget and quality constraints, ensuring relevant stakeholders are kept informed of progress. 
• Work closely with Stock Controller to ensure adequate stock levels are available and help source in emergencies. 
• Taking due diligence with respect to the safety of staff and ensuring that adequate safety training and maintenance of working area’s are provided in accordance with Health and Safety at Work (COSHH) requirements. 
• Help creating a culture of continuous improvement which empowers staff to take ownership of their working environment. Help develop and maintain a continuous improvement philosophy within business.