Microbiology Technical Manager

at  Thames Water Utilites

Are you an experienced manager with a robust background in microbiology and a deep understanding of laboratory management? We are seeking a Microbiology Technical Manager to direct and optimize our analytical operations, leveraging your technical expertise to drive quality and efficiency in a high-throughput setting.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING AS A MICROBIOLOGY TECHNICAL MANAGER

• Manage a team of 35 professionals in a fast-paced environment equipped with state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation.
• Uphold the highest standards of quality management, ensuring all data generated complies with ISO 17025 and DWTS regulations. Demonstrate backgrounf in maintaining health, safety, and wellbeing across the analytical section.
• Ensure that laboratory operations meet internal targets and customer requirements, emphasizing quality, speed, reliability, and flexibility. Continuously monitor and improve service delivery to align with the needs of our customers.
• Oversee the management of laboratory resources, including analytical instrumentation and materials, while adhering to budgetary constraints (opex & capex).
• Drive staff training and development initiatives, fostering a culture of high performance and rapid turnaround. Manage recruitment, define team goals, and implement performance management strategies, ensuring alignment with laboratory and corporate objectives.
• Work to improve staff engagement, increasing both productivity and job satisfaction within the team, and ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality results in a demanding environment.
• Act as a key problem solver by identifying potential issues, and implementing process improvements. Coordinate the development and validation of new techniques, and contribute to the selection of future processes to meet evolving customer demands.
  Flexible working hours: you can choose between 9 am to 5pm, 8 am to 4 pm, or 10 am to 6 pm.
  Contract: Currently offered as a secondment opportunity for 1 year.
  Base Location: Spenser House, RG1 0JN.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING TO THE ROLE

• Laboratory Management Experience: Proven experience managing teams in a microbiology laboratory environment.
• Educational Background: A degree in a related discipline; however, candidates with substantial relevant experience will also be considered.
• Professional Credentials: Membership with the Royal Society of Biology (MRSB) or working towards this. You should also be eligible for Chartered Scientist (CSci) status.
• Technical Expertise: In-depth knowledge and practical experience with ISO 17025 standards, ensuring quality and compliance in laboratory operations.
• Organizational Skills: Strong ability to prioritize and organize both your workload and that of your team to meet deadlines and turnaround times.

This is an exceptional opportunity to take on a key leadership role within a high-throughput laboratory that is equipped with state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation. You’ll be joining a team that is deeply committed to ensuring the quality of drinking water, protecting the environment, and delivering excellent service to customers. In this role, you will oversee the efficient processing of sample arrivals, contributing to the generation of over 1,000,000 test results annually—many of which are critical to public health.

• Offering from £43,120 to £64,000 per annum depending on skills and experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution.
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
• Wider benefits scheme including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your wellbeing