Job Title: Screening and Confirmation Section Manager
Contract: Permanent, Full-time (37.5 hours per week) Monday to Friday
Location: Matrix Diagnostics, Waltham Abbey, EN9 3BZ
Salary: Up to £40,000 per annum
As Screening and Confirmation Section Manager, you will lead the analytical teams and workflows responsible for the accurate screening and confirmatory testing of samples, ensuring results are delivered efficiently, compliantly, and in line with strict service level agreements. You will play a pivotal role in maintaining high-quality laboratory performance while driving continuous improvement across people, processes, and technology.
Overseeing daily workflow planning, resource allocation, and KPI performance, you will ensure samples progress smoothly through screening and confirmation stages. You will support and develop your teams through training, cross-skilling, and clear performance leadership, while remaining technically hands-on when required by delivering Senior Analyst activities, including LC-MS/MS method development, validation, and technical project support.
Working closely with Technical, Quality, and Laboratory leadership, you will uphold ISO-compliant practices, quality control performance, and audit readiness, while contributing to LIMS development, instrument performance, and future automation initiatives.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced analytical scientist and proven team leader to shape laboratory capability and performance within a growing diagnostics environment.
Main Objectives
* Responsible for the screening and confirmation workflow including development of people, processes and platforms in use.
* To oversee and direct the analytical and non-analytical procedures necessary for the day to day running of the screening and confirmation laboratories including scheduling, resource management, developments plans and project delivery.
* Direct ability to deliver the Senior Confirmation Analyst role to enable support with validation/development of methods and technical project delivery.
Specific Responsibilities
* Provide Section Leadership with associated plans.
* Be responsible for the efficient and effective throughput of samples through the screening and confirmations Departments daily including providing direction to analysts to ensure workload is completed in a timely fashion in strict accordance with the SLA. Including KPI development and review.
* Effective scheduling and resource management.
* Develop the People Plans for each team to:
- Ensure all staff are trained and competent and are aware of their duties and responsibilities.
- Support recruitment and appraisal of staff.
- Provide adequate training for staff (and others) and to maintain own self development through scientific journals, courses, meetings etc.
- Promote staff development, cross training and building of efficiencies.
* Lead the Teams and drive the laboratory forward through continuous improvement and associated project portfolio.
* Deliver the Senior Analyst role within the laboratory when necessary and support with validation/ method development and technical projects.
* Schedule and minute regular Team meetings.
* Plan and organise for future growth and workload and to ensure capability of the laboratory to adhere to Service Level Agreements through scientific developments, staffing and equipment.
* Maintain and develop the laboratory LIMS and other laboratory information assets and support ongoing integration projects.
* Plan and participate in internal and external audits and close out meetings agreeing action plans where appropriate.
* Be responsible for monitoring and maintaining Internal and External Quality Control performance and to work with Technical Manager to take actions where required.
* Ensure the security of the laboratory and the contents held within at all times.
* Maintain consumable stocks and supplies necessary to ensure the laboratory runs efficiently and without downtime.
* Ensure equipment is appropriately maintained, minimising instrument downtime. Ensuring appropriate records are maintained. Monitoring performance of external service contracts ensuring on-going suitability and continuity of services.
* Review and potential implementation of automation within the laboratory.
* Prompt raising of non-conformances, planned deviations, changes, risks and improvements and for monitoring performance in delivery of the same across the Laboratory Team.
* In conjunction with the Company's Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Manager, to ensure that all work is performed in accordance with ISO 17025, ISO 14001, ISO 27001 and ISO 9001 requirements in testing and quality control.
* Own, develop and comply with all relevant Health and Safety procedures to ensure safety of all staff.
* Adhere to company policies and business systems manuals.
* Adhere to all policy, procedure, regulatory, customer and standard requirements relating to quality, information security and environmental management systems.
* Ensure commitment to impartiality and confidentiality, integrity and accessibility of information.
* Authorise release of analytical results to customers when required.
* Strictly adhere to deadlines and turnaround times as agreed with Laboratory Services Director and as specified in customer agreements.
* Making presentations to sales staff (and others as appropriate) with regard to relevant aspects of the Laboratory service.
Requirements for this role
Essential
* At least 5 years' experience working with analytical instrumentation including Clinical Analysers and LC-MS-MS systems (Drugs of Abuse experience would be an advantage).
* Relevant science degree or equivalent and demonstration of a sharp mental awareness with attention to detail, coupled with excellent practical skills is essential.
* ISO 17025 Quality Management System experience.
* Practical LC-MS/MS Method Development and Validation experience.
* Ability to deliver Senior LC-MS Analyst Role.
* Competent computer skills (LC-MS/MS Processing packages, Excel, Word, Outlook).
* Previous Project Management skills.
* Proven experience as an effective Team Manager
Our Company Benefits
* 31 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays, increasing with length of service
* Pension Scheme
* Access to Company benefits and discount portal
* Access to a Health Cash Plan
* Free eyecare vouchers
* Cycle to work scheme
* Access to confidential Employee Assistance programme
* Interactive mental health and wellbeing app
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