Join us as a Team Manager and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity!
We are seeking an experienced scientific leader to take on a pivotal role heading our chromatography teams, reporting directly to the Senior Operations Lead. In this position, you will lead and develop a group of scientists, Delivery Leads and a Team Manager, driving optimisation of laboratory processes, workflow planning and continuous improvements across quality and safety in a regulated environment. You will champion scientific excellence, operational efficiency and high‑quality service delivery, while fostering a culture of growth, innovation and constructive challenge. With responsibility for staff development, change management and the operational performance of our IC/GC/LC‑MS teams, you will act as a role model for Fera’s values and play a key part in strengthening communication and collaboration across the business.
What you’ll be doing:
* Leading a team of chromatography scientists and senior scientists, reporting directly to the Senior Operations Lead.
* Oversee optimisation of laboratory processes, workflow planning, and continuous improvement in a regulated environment.
* Provide visible, inspiring leadership to Delivery Leads and a Team Manager, ensuring high scientific performance and excellent customer outcomes.
* Develop and support your team through coaching, goal setting, and effective performance management.
* Foster a culture of growth, engagement, and constructive challenge to improve ways of working.
* Drive and implement change management initiatives, ensuring smooth transitions and strong team engagement.
* Improve operational efficiency across the IC/GC/LC‑MS team using key performance metrics and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
* Act as a role model for Fera’s VOICE values, championing innovation, best practice, continuous improvement, and positive recognition.
* Ensure teams comply with all quality systems, licensing requirements, and health and safety standards.
* Promote strong communication and collaboration across Fera’s business teams, sharing knowledge and supporting cross‑functional success.
What we’re looking for:
* A BSc (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant scientific discipline, plus significant experience working in a scientific laboratory.
* Extensive operational leadership experience in a regulated laboratory environment, including leading change, driving innovation, delivering continuous improvement, and using KPIs effectively.
* Strong ability to interpret and analyse performance data to enhance team efficiency and effectiveness, with confidence presenting insights to senior leaders.
* Solid understanding of the frameworks and standards governing scientific delivery (Health & Safety, Quality Assurance, licensing), ensuring teams are properly resourced and empowered to operate within them.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across teams, the wider business, and with customers.
* Awareness of Fera’s 5‑Year Strategic Growth Plan and the ability to translate its objectives into clear expectations and processes for your teams.
* A confident, influential communicator who can coach, support, and guide others to deliver successful outcomes.
* Strong understanding of effective Business Team operations, including the staffing, facilities, and equipment required to deliver services and projects efficiently.
What’s in it for you?
* 25 days’ holiday (rising to 29) with the opportunity to buy & sell extra leave.
* Flexible working hours, on-site gym, restaurant, and free parking
* The opportunity to take a paid day out of the office, volunteering for our charity partners or a cause of your choice
* Company matched pension, life assurance, a cycle2work scheme, 15 weeks’ fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, paternity pay of two weeks…and plenty more.
* Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle – from discounts on retail and socialising, to health & wellbeing, travel and technology
* Fera operates a LTIP ( Long Term Incentive Plan) under which all employees are awarded points towards shares in the Employee Benefits Trust on an annual basis. The Employee Benefits Trust holds shares on behalf of our employee, at the point of an equity event the shares will realise a cash value.
What we hope you’ll do next:
Choose ‘Apply now’ to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you. If you have any questions you’d like to ask before applying, you can contact
We’re an equal opportunity employer, which means we recruit and develop people based on their merit and passion. We’re committed to providing an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process and working environment for everyone. If you need the job description or application form in an alternative format or if you’d like to discuss other changes or support you might need going forward, please email at and we’ll get back to you.