Team Leader, Wet Chemistry Services (12m FTC)
At Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL), we lead the way in scientific analysis, research, consultancy, and training for the food, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries. RSSL provides services to our parent company, Mondelez International, and is dedicated to delivering world‑class scientific solutions and outstanding customer service.
Purpose: The Team Leader supports the Laboratory Manager and/or Senior Team Leader to ensure achievement of accountabilities by selecting, directing, motivating, and managing staff within the Wet Chemistry department. The role provides technical direction with the support of technical specialists, ensuring that routine and complex pharmaceutical projects are performed and supervised effectively and accurately within agreed timescales and to GMP quality standards.
The Team Leader manages up to eight junior analytical chemists to deliver projects safely, on time, and on budget while maintaining high quality standards. This includes executing benchwork (when required), supporting client management, and data checking for routine & verification analyses of pharmaceutical raw materials using wet chemistry techniques in accordance with pharmacopoeial requirements or client methods.
Primary Accountabilities / Responsibilities
Technical
* Provide high quality customer service at all times by ensuring effective organization of assigned workload, integrity of analytical data generated, and timely/accurate provision of results to GMP standards.
* Maintain a broad understanding of the methods/techniques performed by the wet chemistry team, demonstrating why and how to execute tasks.
* Understand the chemistry behind the tests and help with basic technical queries arising from these tests by other analysts, with support from the technical specialists.
* Collaborate with Commercial and relevant technical staff on enquiries and identify growth opportunities.
* Perform a range of analyses using wet chemistry techniques independently and supervise junior staff in routine activities, methods and interpretation, liaising across departments as required.
* Perform maintenance and troubleshooting of lab equipment, if required.
* Design or review verification/validation protocols and write interpretive reports. Perform with an eye for detail and quality oversight data checking and review/authorize CoA on LIMS.
* Proficient use of software packages as required: Laboratory LIMS system, Q‑Pulse, and instrument specific software.
* Will be expected to work in different laboratories if demand is required.
Communication & Influence
* Work as part of an efficient analytical team.
* Liase with clients, business development and line management to ensure effective communication of project proposals and results.
* Routinely liaise with Senior Team Leader/Group Leader/Senior Group Leader/Technical specialists and Senior Associate Principal Scientist stakeholders.
* Participate in client and stakeholder meetings as required, providing expert advice.
* Manage a large client portfolio or multiple smaller client portfolios and independently plan, lead & coordinate projects.
* Deliver internal presentations across groups and to technical stakeholders.
* Take responsibility for elements of specific department or business projects and/or specific areas of general laboratory/sample administration tasks as required.
Leadership and supervision
* Line management of five to eight scientists, with adherence to all people management policies, setting SMART objectives and development plans, leading monthly 1:1s, and contributing to the bi‑yearly calibration process for each direct report.
* Develop managerial skills needed to be an effective team leader & people manager.
* Ensure all staff are trained in departmental methods and techniques, being accountable for maintaining a compliant training programme.
* Plan/assign routine & complex projects to junior staff.
QEHS
* Work to the highest standards of safety and quality by ensuring that appropriate COSHHs, risk assessments and SOPs are understood and followed and GMP requirements are adhered to at all times.
* Complete assigned quality actions in a timely manner, including review and approval and quality investigations.
* Ensure delivery by self and direct reports to department KPIs on safety and quality.
* Write and approve SOPs and Test Methods.
* Generate and review Risk Assessments and COSHH.
* Maintain a clean, tidy and safe working environment.
* Ensure training records are accurate.
* Maintain a detailed understanding of the Quality Management System and provide technical & regulatory leadership in client audits.
* Involved in investigations, may have initial client communication to alert to issues and may drive resolution.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Language Requirements
* Educated to Degree or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline or equivalent relevant experience in a laboratory.
* Excellent understanding of wet chemistry techniques and equipment.
* Scientific understanding and ability to independently conduct chemical analysis.
* Good knowledge of laboratory quality and accreditation systems (GMP).
* Accountable, honest, hardworking and able to work efficiently in a team.
* Flexible and adaptable to meet customer/business requirements; well organised and capable of working on multiple activities concurrently.
* Meticulous attention to detail.
* Good verbal and written skills with the ability to communicate with clients and colleagues.
* Self‑motivated, enthusiastic and quick to learn.
* Able to organise own work and others to maximise output.
* Computer literate in standard MS Office applications.
* Ability to problem solve and plan resources to maintain workflow in delivery of projects.
* Ability to deliver projects/work within tight timescales and motivate, mentor and line‑manage junior scientific staff.
* Technical credibility to develop good working relationships with internal and external clients.
* Extensive experience of working in wet chemistry area.
* Experience of working for or with a CRO.
* Analytical project management experience.
* English fluency (written and spoken).
More About This Role
* Opportunities to learn and develop.
* Performance‑related bonus scheme.
* Contributory pension (8%‑11% employer contribution).
* Life assurance.
* 27 days holiday allowance (possibility to buy 5 extra days) + bank holidays.
* Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
* A flexible benefits programme (Gym discounts, private health insurance, restaurant discounts, etc.).
No relocation support available.
RSSL is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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