🧪 Laboratory Manager
Gateshead | Running a lab where precision, people and purpose meet
Do you thrive in a fast-paced lab where accuracy matters, standards are high, and no two days look the same? Are you the kind of leader who knows their ISO from their UKAS, can spot a bottleneck a mile off, and still makes time to develop their team?
Then welcome — this one’s for you.
🔬 The Role
As our Laboratory Manager, you’ll be at the heart of our Gateshead laboratory, keeping everything running smoothly, safely and efficiently. You’ll lead a talented team of analysts and technicians, maintain UKAS-accredited standards, and drive continuous improvement across quality, service and technical capability.
This is a hands-on leadership role with real influence — perfect for someone who enjoys balancing people management, technical excellence and operational performance.
🧠What You’ll Be Doing (aka: Running the Lab Like a Pro)
On any given day, you’ll be:
* Leading a team of 10+ lab legends, keeping morale high, standards higher, and safety non-negotiable
* Being the calm, capable force behind a UKAS-accredited operation — ISO 17025 and LAB 30 are basically your second language
* Orchestrating the daily flow of samples, workflows and analysis so everything runs smoothly (and on time)
* Making sure results land where they should, when they should — hitting OTD targets without cutting corners
* Keeping a close eye on budgets, consumables and kit, ensuring the lab is well-stocked, well-equipped and well-run
* Training, authorising and developing your team — spotting potential, building confidence and growing capability
* Leading UKAS audits with confidence (and minimal stress), keeping compliance tight and documentation spotless
* Making sure the lab shines in RICE, AIMS, AISS, SEMS and other proficiency testing schemes
* Driving innovation by improving methods, upgrading capability and championing smarter ways of working
* Interpreting analytical data and translating numbers into meaningful, trusted results
* Acting as the lab’s technical north star — mentoring chemists and analysts, and setting the gold standard for safety and quality
🧩 About You
You’re a confident, people-focused leader with a strong technical background and a passion for doing things properly — and better every time.
You’ll bring:
* Experience in asbestos testing or chemistry laboratory operations
* Proven experience managing teams
* A solid understanding of ISO 17025, LAB 30 or equivalent quality systems
* A track record of improving laboratory performance and customer service
* Experience managing budgets, resources and laboratory operations
* Competence in BOHS proficiency modules
* Strong knowledge of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
* Hands-on experience with UKAS accreditation and audit processes
🌟 Why Join Us?
Because this is more than managing a lab — it’s shaping how it operates, how it grows, and how people succeed within it. You’ll have the autonomy to make improvements, the support to lead confidently, and the chance to make a real impact from our Gateshead base.
Plus, we believe laboratories should be places where high standards and great teamwork go hand in hand.