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- Tasks: Lead the QC lab, ensuring top-notch safety and compliance while mentoring a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Wychem, an innovative company focused on quality and growth in the chemical industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, bonuses, generous holidays, and a solid pension plan.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in quality control and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: BSc in Chemistry or 5+ years of relevant experience; strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Wychem, an Ascensus Specialties Company, is seeking a Quality Control (QC) Lead to join our operations team. Reporting directly to the QHSE Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the QC laboratory in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. This role is essential to our quality systems, requiring a blend of advanced analytical expertise, rigorous scientific documentation, and proactive team leadership. This role ensures the highest standards of safety and ISO9001 compliance while performing chemical analysis using GC, HPLC, KF, FTIR, and titrations. Beyond the bench, you will mentor staff, maintain laboratory instrumentation, and drive continuous improvement to support production, R&D, and the company’s global growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Oversight: Manage the daily workflow of the QC Laboratory, prioritising tasks based on production schedules and management needs to ensure deadline-driven targets are met.
- Team Mentorship: Lead, mentor, and train QC Analysts; set clear performance expectations and proactively identify and bridge capability gaps.
- Safety & Compliance: Champion a safety-first culture by ensuring strict adherence to company procedures, health and safety guidelines, and ISO9001 standards.
- Fiscal Responsibility: Oversee laboratory costs and stock levels, identifying opportunities for savings and ensuring resources are available to support continuous operations.
- High-Level Analysis: Conduct precise testing of raw materials, intermediates, and final products using GC, HPLC, FTIR, KF, and titrations.
- Data Integrity: Critically review and interpret analytical data to identify trends, shifts, or outliers, ensuring all results are fit for purpose and accurately recorded in the ERP system.
- Method Development: Create, update, and validate analytical methods and specifications for various instrumentation to ensure robust, repeatable processes.
- Equipment Stewardship: Perform routine maintenance and basic repairs on critical laboratory equipment, including GCs, HPLCs, and gas generators.
- External Liaison: Coordinate with external suppliers and contractors for the preventive maintenance, calibration, and timely repair of instrumentation to minimise downtime.
- Cross-Functional Support: Act as a technical resource for Production and R&D, providing responsive troubleshooting and scientific insight for complex chemical or process issues.
- Technical Writing: Author and review technical documentation, including SOPs, Work Instructions (WIs), and quality policies.
- Audit Readiness: Manage quality records, including non-conformances and compliance reports; drive CAPA and participate in internal/external audits.
- Process Improvement: Proactively identify and implement efficiencies in methodology or instrumentation to advance laboratory capabilities and company growth.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
- Essential Qualifications & Education: BSc in Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, or a closely related discipline with a strong foundation in organic chemistry.
- Equivalent Experience: Candidates with 5+ years of relevant vocational experience in analytical and organic chemistry will also be considered.
- Technical Proficiency: Proven experience in the operation of GC, HPLC, KF, FTIR, titrations, and analytical balances.
- Maintenance Skills: Basic knowledge of the maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of GCs, HPLCs, and gas generators.
- Industry Background: Prior experience within a manufacturing environment, preferably in fine chemicals or pharmaceuticals.
- Safety Awareness: Familiarity with the hazards associated with handling potentially hazardous chemicals and materials (COSHH).
- Quality Systems: A solid understanding of QC quality systems, specifically ISO 9001:2015.
- Technical Standards: Understanding of method development and validation protocols.
- Communication & IT: Strong command of written and spoken English; proficient in Office 365 (specifically Word and Excel).
- Work Management: Exceptional prioritisation skills with the ability to manage a varied workload in a deadline-driven environment.
Desirable Criteria
- Advanced Education: MSc in Analytical Chemistry or a related field.
- Proven Expertise: A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a QC laboratory within the fine chemical or pharmaceutical sectors.
- Problem Solving: A proven track record of complex problem-solving and instrument troubleshooting within a laboratory setting.
- Leadership Potential: Experience in mentoring junior analysts or leading small projects.
Benefits
- Competitive rates of pay + company bonus scheme
- 7% employer pension contribution
- 25 days holidays, plus 8 days bank holiday
- Life Insurance (4x Salary)
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Free parking
Quality Control Lead employer: Ascensus Specialties
Contact Detail:
Ascensus Specialties Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Quality Control Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Quality Control Lead role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their quality systems and ISO9001 compliance standards. We want you to show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the team!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common interview questions, especially those related to analytical testing and team leadership. We suggest doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence and refine your responses.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance at landing that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Quality Control Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Quality Control Lead role. Highlight your analytical expertise and any relevant experience with GC, HPLC, and other techniques mentioned in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for our team. Share specific examples of how you've led teams or improved processes in previous roles, and don’t forget to mention your passion for quality control!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, be sure to detail your technical proficiency with the required equipment and methodologies. We want to see your hands-on experience and how you’ve applied it in a lab setting.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ascensus Specialties
✨Know Your Analytical Techniques
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of GC, HPLC, FTIR, and other analytical methods mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these techniques and how you've applied them in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Quality Control Lead, you'll be expected to mentor and lead a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully trained or guided others in the past. Highlight any specific instances where your leadership made a difference in a project or team dynamic.
✨Emphasise Safety and Compliance
Familiarise yourself with ISO9001 standards and safety protocols relevant to the role. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance in your previous positions and how you would promote a safety-first culture in the lab.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face technical questions related to method development, data integrity, and troubleshooting. Review common challenges faced in QC labs and think about how you would approach solving them. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and technical expertise.
