Location: Head office – 1A Hylton Park, Sunderland, SR5 3HD
Salary: £40-50k depending on experience
Hours: Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm
About Us
Franks Portlock is a UKAS-accredited Testing Laboratory and Inspection Body No. 4155, and a leading environmental management consultancy specialising in asbestos and water hygiene services. With almost two decades of industry experience, we provide comprehensive asbestos surveying, sample analysis, air testing, four-stage clearance testing, and a full range of environmental and compliance consultancy services.
In addition to our asbestos expertise, Franks Portlock delivers a wide portfolio of water hygiene and treatment services designed to help organisations maintain safe and compliant water systems. Our work supports adherence to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the requirements of HSE’s L8 ACOP, ensuring safe water management across all types of premises.
Operating from offices in London, the Midlands, the North East and North West of England, and Rosyth, we continue to expand rapidly across both our asbestos and water hygiene divisions.
Franks Portlock is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome all applications
The Role
The Technical Manager is responsible for the technical integrity, compliance, and professional standards of all asbestos consultancy activities undertaken by the organisation.
The postholder holds delegated authority for ensuring that all surveying, inspection, testing, and analytical services are delivered in accordance with current legislation, HSE guidance, ISO 17020 & 17025 requirements, UKAS accreditation standards, and recognised industry best practice.
This role provides independent technical oversight across all operational regions and has the authority to intervene, suspend, or escalate work where compliance, safety, or technical quality is at risk.
The Technical Manager has responsibility for:
* Maintaining the technical validity and integrity of all accredited and non-accredited asbestos activities.
* Ensuring competence, authorisation, and ongoing assessment of technical staff.
* Technical governance across surveying, air monitoring, 4-stage clearance, bulk analysis (where applicable), and related consultancy services.
* Supporting commercial and operational teams through technical expertise while maintaining independence in compliance matters.
* Acting as the primary technical contact during UKAS assessments and regulatory inspections.
As Technical Manager you will have
* Strong leadership and decision-making capability.
* High level of technical judgement and professional integrity.
* Ability to interpret legislation and technical guidance.
* Effective communicator at operational and senior management levels.
* Strong organisational and documentation skills.
* Commercial awareness balanced with regulatory discipline.
* Proficient in Microsoft Office and technical reporting systems.
Essential qualifications and experience
* Minimum 5 years’ demonstrable experience in asbestos consultancy, inspection, and testing
* Proven experience conducting 4-stage clearance and asbestos surveys.
* Experience within an ISO 17025-accredited environment.
* Experience conducting audits and competency assessments.
* Soils inspection, remediation, or water hygiene experience desirable but not essential.
* W504 and/or S301 (or equivalent) desirable.
* Certificate of Competence in Asbestos (CoCA) desirable or commitment to achieve.
* IOSH Managing Safely or higher (training may be provided if required).
* Formal ISO 17020 & 17025 internal auditor training.
Additional technical or safety qualifications relevant to consultancy services
Why Join Us
* Generous Holiday Package: Enjoy 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays, with the option to choose one extra day of holiday or Vitality health insurance
* Hybrid Vehicle & Fuel Card: All the tools you need to get the job done
* Staff uniform and PPE
* Company Pension
* Employee Assistance programme (EAP) and fully qualified Mental Health First Aiders to support with your wellbeing!
* Family friendly policies
* Employee of the month award
* Employee representative at each of our sites to boost employee engagement!
* Personal Development Plan to help support and develop our employees
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