At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage laboratory operations and support scientific teams in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Avantor, a leader in scientific innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Permanent role with competitive salary, career growth, and a supportive culture.
- Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to making a positive impact on the world.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that drives life-changing science and innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in lab operations and strong organisational skills required.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
The Opportunity: Laboratory Operations Manager Location: Macclesfield, UK Contract Type: Permanent
About the Role
We are seeking a proactive and highly organised Laboratory Operations Manager to oversee the day-to-day management of a portfolio of laboratory spaces in Macclesfield. Acting as the primary point of contact for scientists, service providers, and visitors, you will play a critical role in ensuring laboratories operate safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with regulatory and company standards. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual with laboratory operations, facilities management, or scientific support experience who thrives in a collaborative environment and is passionate about delivering high-quality operational support to scientific teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Laboratory Operations & Facilities Management
- Manage the daily operation of assigned laboratory areas, serving as the key point of contact for scientists and external visitors.
- Coordinate preventive maintenance, repairs, and service activities with Facilities Management (FM) providers to minimise disruption to laboratory operations.
- Monitor and track FM helpdesk requests, ensuring timely resolution of issues.
- Investigate service-level agreement (SLA) deviations, conduct root cause analyses, and communicate improvement plans to stakeholders.
- Support scientific teams with reagent and consumable planning, inventory management, and cost-saving initiatives.
- Coordinate laboratory inductions for new, temporary, and visiting laboratory users.
- Organise and support visits from internal stakeholders, external partners, and regulatory agencies.
- Provide operational support to business projects and identify opportunities for process improvement.
- Equipment Management
- Partner with IT teams and service providers to ensure laboratory equipment is operating effectively and utilised efficiently.
- Coordinate equipment servicing, planned maintenance, breakdown management, installations, and decommissioning activities.
- Attend planning meetings, monitor facility-related issues, and support service delivery excellence.
- Maintain relevant operational, compliance, and training documentation.
- Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs), service metrics, and weekly operational activities.
- Promote best practice through collaboration with the wider laboratory management network.
- Health, Safety & Compliance
- Support departmental leadership in maintaining high standards of Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) compliance.
- Assist with documentation including risk assessments, COSHH assessments, and other compliance requirements.
- Facilitate SHE meetings and ensure important safety information is communicated effectively.
- Participate in audits and drive corrective actions to maintain regulatory and operational excellence.
- Support quality compliance activities in partnership with Quality Assurance and operational teams.
- Additional Responsibilities
- Monitor laboratory consumables and capital expenditure, maintaining accurate inventories and asset records.
- Support future equipment demand planning and technology enhancement initiatives.
- Liaise with suppliers to organise demonstrations, training sessions, and equipment evaluations.
- Support change control activities and laboratory quality compliance programs.
- Identify and implement opportunities for cost savings and operational efficiencies.
- Assist with laboratory skills training for new starters when required.
- Provide flexibility in working hours when business needs require additional support.
About You
To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:
- Experience in laboratory operations, laboratory management, scientific support, facilities management, or a related environment.
- Strong organisational and project coordination skills.
- Experience working with multiple stakeholders, suppliers, and service providers.
- Knowledge of laboratory health and safety requirements, including risk assessments and compliance processes.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Strong problem-solving abilities with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Experience managing inventories, consumables, equipment, and operational budgets is advantageous.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across cross-functional teams.
What We Offer
- Permanent employment with a stable and growing organisation.
- Opportunity to work within a highly collaborative scientific environment.
- Career development and professional growth opportunities.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- A key role supporting cutting-edge laboratory operations and scientific excellence.
Apply today to become an integral part of a team dedicated to maintaining world-class laboratory facilities and supporting scientific innovation.
Lab Manager in Macclesfield employer: Avantor
Avantor is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Cambridge, where innovation thrives. Employees benefit from a competitive salary, a strong focus on professional development, and the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research while ensuring compliance with Health and Safety standards. With a culture that values attention to detail and teamwork, Avantor fosters a supportive atmosphere for growth and collaboration.
