Laboratory Quality Manager in Southampton

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World. To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey!

British American Tobacco UK has an exciting opportunity for a Laboratory Quality Manager in Southampton. We are seeking an experienced Analytical Quality Leader to own and lead ISO 17025 accreditation activities, acting as the primary interface with UKAS and driving full compliance across the analytical Quality Management System. The role provides technical leadership, mentoring and training to laboratory and Analytical CoE teams, supporting method development, validation and continuous improvement. You will lead internal audits, manage external assessments, and ensure analytical capability remains fit for current and future business needs within an accredited laboratory environment.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Act as the primary point of contact with UKAS, coordinating documentation and leading all assessment and accreditation activities.
• Lead and maintain the analytical Quality Management System, ensuring full and ongoing compliance with ISO 17025 requirements.
• Partner with Science Quality and Analytical CoE team leads to support and deliver the internal audit programme.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to Analytical CoE leadership to achieve accreditation objectives, including transition to a flexible scope.
• Deliver training, mentor and development on ISO 17025 and related technical processes to colleagues as required.
• Support the development, validation and technical review of analytical methods, procedures and documentation in alignment with ISO 17025.
• Engage with internal and external collaborators to assess current and future business needs and ensure analytical capability fitness.
• Maintain external awareness of ISO 17025 developments, procedures and changes to standards, ensuring alignment of laboratory operations and documentation.

What are we looking for?

• Confirmed expertise in the development, validation, application and troubleshooting of analytical methods within industrial, contract or research laboratory environments.
• Validated leadership and oversight of Quality Management Systems in ISO 17025 (and/or GLP) accredited laboratories, including successful management of external audits and engagement with accreditation bodies.
• Strong hands-on experience with chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques and data analysis across multiple instrument vendor platforms (e.g. Agilent, Waters, Sciex, Thermo, Bruker).
• Established capability in leading laboratory audits, performing root cause analysis, and defining and implementing effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Ability to provide technical leadership through training, mentor and effective partner engagement, supporting ISO 17025 compliance, continuous improvement and related quality activities (e.g. ISO 9001).
• Degree (BSc or equivalent experience) in Chemistry or a chemistry-related field, supported by relevant industrial experience and/or a higher qualification (e.g. MSc), professional membership (e.g. Royal Society of Chemistry or equivalent), and certified training in ISO 17025:2017 laboratory internal audit and/or Laboratory Quality Management Systems.
• Beneficial: Detailed practical knowledge of analytical techniques including GC/MS, HPLC/MS/MS, Time of Flight MS, UV/Vis/IR spectroscopy, smoking engines. Peer and senior peer engagement and influencing skills.

What we offer you?

We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility). Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives. Your journey with us isn't limited by boundaries; it's propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn't just a statement – it's a reality we're eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here. You'll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills. We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes.

WHY JOIN BAT? We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions. At BAT, we champion collaboration, inclusion, and partnership as the bedrock of our values. We wish to foster an environment where every individual can thrive, irrespective of factors such as gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, as well as diverse perspectives and thinking styles. We recognise that our strength lies in embracing talent from all walks of life, empowering us to develop our culture of inclusivity and better achieve our business objectives. We view career breaks not as obstacles but as opportunities and encourage everyone, without hesitation, to apply. Through our Global Returners program, we provide support to professionals seeking to re-enter the workforce after an extended absence, be it for family care, parental leave, national service, sabbatical, or starting their own venture. Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT. Learn more about our culture and our award winning employee experience here. We take pride in being a Disability Confident Employer. If you need any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process to support you performing at your best, please inform the recruitment partner who will be in touch should your profile be selected for the role you applied for. We are wholeheartedly committed to optimising your prospects of success by making suitable arrangements so that you may showcase your full potential.