At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage laboratory operations, ensuring quality and compliance.
- Company: Join Argent Energy, a top European biodiesel producer focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, enhanced sick pay, and a cycle to work scheme.
- Other info: Opportunity to drive continuous improvement and innovation in a growing sector.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to decarbonise transport while leading a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Degree in Chemistry required; experience in lab management essential.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Overview
Argent Energy is a leading European biodiesel producer, backed by Swire, with a mission to decarbonise transport through the use of waste-based feedstocks. We are committed to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence.
Our laboratories play a critical role in ensuring product quality, regulatory compliance, and delivering on our customer requirements.
Responsibilities
We are seeking a proactive and experienced Laboratory Manager to lead our UK laboratory operations. This is a pivotal role with full accountability for all aspects of lab performance — from technical accuracy and compliance to team leadership and identifying continuous improvement opportunities.
- Lead, coach, and develop the laboratory team to deliver high-quality, timely analysis across all product streams.
- Ensure all testing meets internal standards, customer expectations, and regulatory requirements.
- Take full accountability for lab operations, including resource planning, equipment maintenance, and budget management and technical escalations.
- Champion a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
- Maintain and develop analytical methods, including for new or evolving feedstocks.
- Ensure robust training, competency, and performance monitoring systems are in place.
- Identify and implement opportunities for process improvement, automation, and efficiency gains.
- Champion the UK quality meeting to report overall performance and drive improvements.
- Lead investigations to identify root cause and prevent incident reoccurrence.
Your key relationships
- The Production, Sales and Trade teams to align lab output with business needs.
Skills and behaviours
- Strong working knowledge of the following techniques:
- Auto Titrators (Essential)
- Gas Chromatography (GC) (Essential)
- Karl Fischer titration (KF) (Desirable)
- UV-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis) (Desirable)
- X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) (Desirable)
- Effective and visible leader who takes accountability for overall performance.
- Customer-focused mindset with a drive to meet internal and external expectations.
- Strong collaborator who builds relationships across departments at all levels.
- Analytical thinker with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Organised, methodical, and adaptable
Qualifications and experience required
- Degree in Chemistry or related scientific discipline (essential).
- Proven experience managing or leading a laboratory team in a manufacturing or process environment (essential).
- Experience in the biofuels, chemical, or petrochemical sectors (essential).
What’s on offer
- 33 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays.
- Medicash
- Enhanced Company Sick Pay
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee Assistance Program
- Enhanced Company pension scheme
- Life Assurance
- Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Pay
UK Laboratory Manager in Ellesmere Port employer: Argent Energy Limited
At Argent Energy, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking employer dedicated to sustainability and innovation in the biodiesel sector. Our UK laboratory team is at the heart of our mission, offering a collaborative work culture that fosters professional growth and continuous improvement. With generous benefits such as 33 days of holiday, enhanced pension schemes, and a commitment to employee well-being, we provide an environment where you can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the future of transport.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land UK Laboratory Manager in Ellesmere Port
✨Get Involved in the Chemistry Community
Engage with local chemistry societies and attend their events. Whether it's a conference or a seminar, these gatherings can be gold mines for networking and spotting job openings at companies like Argent Energy Limited. Plus, being face-to-face with industry professionals can leave a lasting impression!
✨Utilise Online Platforms for Chemistry Jobs
Don’t just rely on mainstream job boards. Sites like Chemistry World and Chemjobs are specifically geared for our field. Set up alerts for new openings at places like Argent Energy Limited to be the first to apply!
✨Showcase Your Research & Projects
Create a professional online portfolio that highlights your chemistry projects or research. This could be a blog or a simple website that showcases your skills and experience. When you apply to Argent Energy Limited, you want them to see what you can do beyond the CV.
✨Connect With Recruiters Specialised in Chemistry
Reach out to recruitment agencies that focus on the chemistry sector. They often have inside tracks on job openings at companies like Argent Energy Limited and can provide valuable advice tailored to full-time roles in our industry. Don't be shy to ask for insights!
We think you need these skills to ace UK Laboratory Manager in Ellesmere Port
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:When applying for a chemistry position, make sure to highlight any lab experience you've got. Mention specific techniques and instruments you've worked with, as they can set you apart from other candidates. For us, demonstrating your practical skills is as important as your theoretical knowledge!
Tailor Your CV to Chemistry:It's essential to structure your CV in a way that’s appealing for a chemistry role. Highlight relevant projects, research publications, and coursework that demonstrate your expertise. If you’ve completed specific certifications, make sure to list those as well—they can really boost your chances!
Craft a Chemistry-Focused Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your enthusiasm for the field of chemistry and why you want to work at Argent Energy Limited. Talk about any research or projects that inspire you, and express your willingness to contribute to the team. We love seeing genuine passion for chemistry in applications!
Include Relevant References:Since chemistry roles can be quite specific, having reference letters from professors or previous employers in the field can be a huge plus. Make sure to include contacts who can vouch for your skills and dedication, as it adds credibility to your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Argent Energy Limited
✨Know Your Experiments
Get ready to chat about your hands-on experience in the lab. We should be prepared to discuss specific experiments we've conducted, the results, and any challenges we faced. This shows them we don't just know the theory but can apply it in practice!
✨Master the Technical Speak
Brush up on the relevant terminology and concepts in chemistry. Make sure we can discuss different chemical processes, analytical techniques, and safety protocols fluently, as they might throw some technical questions our way. Being precise and confident can really set us apart!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Make a portfolio showcasing our best lab work and any research projects we've been involved in. It's a great way to demonstrate our skills and passion for chemistry. We should tailor it to highlight the aspects most relevant to Argent Energy Limited and the UK Laboratory Manager role.
✨Be Ready for Problem Solving
Expect some scenario-based questions where we might need to solve chemical problems on the spot. They could ask about unexpected results or how to improve a process. Let's practice thinking on our feet and explaining our thought process clearly!
