Job Description
Senior Recruitment Consultant – Life Sciences & Chemical Manufacturing (UK)
Location: Liverpool
Specialism: UK Life Sciences, Chemical, Bioprocess & Industrial Manufacturing (Permanent and/or Contract)
About Hays Life Sciences
Hays Life Sciences supports organisations across Pharmaceuticals, Bioprocessing, Fine & Speciality Chemicals, MedTech, Advanced Materials, and Industrial Science‑led Manufacturing. Our clients include start‑ups, scale‑ups, global leaders, and established UK industrial manufacturers.
Demand for skilled professionals across manufacturing, operations, process development, engineering, and technical leadership continues to rise due to industry growth, regulatory evolution and digital transformation:
* UK Life Sciences vacancies increased 5.2% in 2024, with London and the North West among the strongest growth regions in the country’s scientific hiring landscape.
* AI adoption, digital manufacturing and predictive maintenance systems are reshaping production environments, intensifying demand for skilled technical professionals across pharma, biotech, chemicals and advanced manufacturing sectors.
* The Life Sciences industry employs around 300,000 people and contributes nearly £100 billion annually to the UK economy, reinforcing long‑term demand for specialist talent supporting manufacturing and process operations.
Liverpool and the wider North West form one of the UK’s most established manufacturing corridors, home to major pharmaceutical, chemical, bioprocessing and industrial production sites. As organisations scale capacity and modernise operations, recruitment demand continues to increase across engineering, technical manufacturing, process optimisation and operations leadership roles.
The Role
We are seeking a driven Senior Recruitment Consultant to support the continued expansion of our Liverpool-based Life Sciences & Manufacturing team. This role focuses on delivering recruitment solutions across manufacturing, process engineering, operations, chemical production, industrial technology, and technical leadership positions throughout the UK.
You will play an instrumental role in building a high-performing desk within a strategically growing region.
Key Responsibilities
As an experienced consultant, you will:
* Build and strengthen client relationships across Life Sciences, Chemical Manufacturing, Bioprocessing, and wider industrial manufacturing sectors.
* Develop and maintain specialist talent communities across manufacturing, production, process engineering, operational excellence, supply chain, EHS, reliability, engineering and plant operations.
* Promote yourself as a market specialist in UK manufacturing recruitment, advising clients using up-to-date labour market trends.
* Drive business development by identifying and converting new opportunities with manufacturers across pharma, biotech, chemicals, and industrial production.
* Source, engage, and shortlist high‑calibre candidates across technical and operational functions.
* Manage the full recruitment lifecycle including business development, market mapping, vacancy management, negotiation, placement and post‑placement support.
* Deliver exceptional service while meeting and exceeding commercial targets and KPIs.
What You Need To Succeed
* Proven track record in recruitment (permanent or contract), ideally within technical, scientific, engineering or industrial verticals.
* Strong commercial acumen, resilience, and a proactive, success-driven mindset.
* Ability to influence and build relationships with technical managers, senior leaders, and operational stakeholders.
* Excellent communication, organisation and professional integrity.
* A passion for supporting clients within complex and innovation-led manufacturing environments.
What You’ll Receive
* Uncapped commission with significant earning potential.
* A clear 12‑month promotion plan with structured career progression.
* Joining a growing team in a high‑value manufacturing region with strong leadership support.
* Access to global Hays networks, including teams in the US, Switzerland and Germany.
* World‑class training, market‑leading recruitment technology and advanced sourcing tools.
* Referral bonuses of up to £2,000.
* Exciting incentives, rewards, and future opportunities for national or international mobility.
* Free confidential employee mental-health support.
Join Us
This is a unique opportunity to shape a market-leading desk at the heart of one of the UK’s most established manufacturing clusters. With continued investment, growing complexity and heightened demand for skilled professionals across Life Sciences and chemical manufacturing, the timing has never been better to accelerate your career in a high-growth technical market.
Ready to advance your recruitment career?
Apply today and grow with Hays Life Sciences Liverpool.