Laboratory Manager

# Laboratory Manager### Job Introduction## Role Purpose The Laboratory Manager is responsible for leading and managing all laboratory activities to ensure the accurate testing, certification, and compliance of products across the Specialist Products operation and wider business. The role is accountable for maintaining product quality standards, ensuring compliance with testing procedures and audit requirements, and supporting operational and commercial teams to drive efficiency, reduce waste, and improve overall product performance.

The Laboratory Manager provides leadership to the laboratory team, fostering a culture of safety, continuous improvement, technical excellence, and customer focus. The role is instrumental in ensuring products meet required specifications while supporting business objectives through effective quality control, data analysis, and process improvement initiatives.
** Key Accountabilities
** In this role you will:
* Ensure the safe, accurate, and timely testing of products and reporting of laboratory results.
* Verify that finished products consistently meet required specifications, standards, and customer requirements.
* Work closely with production, operational, and commercial teams to support product quality, streamline production changes, and minimise waste.
* Manage all laboratory audit activities, ensuring compliance with testing standards, accreditation requirements, calibration schedules, and quality procedures.
* Lead, develop, and manage a team of Laboratory Technicians, including resource planning, training, performance management, and career development.
* Promote and maintain a zero-harm culture, ensuring the highest standards of health, safety, and environmental compliance within the laboratory.
* Ensure compliance with internal management systems and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
* Manage non-conforming materials, including investigation, root cause analysis, trend reporting, and implementation of corrective actions.
* Monitor and report laboratory performance against key performance indicators (KPIs).
* Support customer requirements by ensuring reliable testing, quality assurance, and product compliance.
* Drive improvements in testing processes, laboratory efficiency, and quality performance.
* Ensure laboratory equipment is maintained, calibrated, and fit for purpose.
** Key Deliverables
** The successful candidate will be accountable for:
* Achieving laboratory safety objectives and maintaining a zero-harm environment.
* Delivering laboratory KPIs and quality performance targets.
* Ensuring compliance with product specifications and quality standards.
* Supporting customer satisfaction through accurate and responsive laboratory services.
* Reducing product failures, waste materials, and non-conformance incidents.
* Maintaining accreditation, audit readiness, and testing compliance requirements.
* Developing a high-performing and engaged laboratory team.
** Knowledge, Skills and Experience**### Essential
* Relevant experience within the construction materials industry, preferably within cementitious products, concrete, mortar, or related manufacturing environments.
* Previous experience managing or supervising laboratory teams.
* Strong understanding of quality control, product testing, and laboratory management systems.
* Experience managing non-conforming materials and implementing corrective actions.
* Strong IT skills with the ability to accurately record, analyse, and report testing data.
* Excellent organisational and planning skills.
* Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
* Ability to make informed decisions based on technical evidence and analysis.
* Knowledge of health, safety, quality, and environmental standards within a…