At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead laboratory operations and manage testing for construction materials.
- Company: Join a respected, family-run geotechnical engineering firm with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Excellent training and career progression opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment with diverse projects.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in materials lab management and a degree in a related field.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 42000 € per year.
3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Hours: Full time, Monday–Friday (37.5 hours per week)
Reports to: Directors & Head of Laboratory
About us
A personal service with professional values
Murray Rix was established in the very early days of 1994. Since those small beginnings we have been steadily and steadfastly developing our business, along with our reputation for total reliability and operational excellence, so that today we are nationally recognised by many of the country’s biggest and most successful organisations as one of the UK’s most respected, wholly independent geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing specialists.
Throughout this prolonged period of success, we have always been extremely proud of the fact that we have determinedly maintained our family-based independent status.
It is a business structure that has allowed us to provide the kind of personal, professional service that is firmly established on individual relationships, trust, performance and above all … results.
All our personnel benefit from an on-going training programme. Everyone involved is extremely experienced and between us we are qualified to provide exactly the kind of technical and knowledgeable support services customers today are looking for. Whether you contact our London or our Manchester offices you will be able to speak directly to one of our supremely experienced Civil, Geotechnical or Materials engineers who know exactly what they’re talking about.
UKAS Accredited Laboratory
Our UKAS accredited laboratory is located within our Manchester offices. Its facilities and expertise however are readily available to both locations for speedy, efficient laboratory testing, analysis, interpretive reporting and technical advice.
Working closely with our clients, either on site or within our laboratory, we are able to confirm the suitability or otherwise of soils, aggregates, concrete, ‘blacktop’ bituminous products, un-bound and hydraulically bound mixtures, lime/cement stabilization plus of course all manner of other construction materials and ground conditions.
From a single home extension to a multi-million-pound construction project
What our clients like about us, and why most of them keep coming back to us time after time, is our no-nonsense approach and the professionalism we bring to every project.
From the smallest contract to the largest construction project, we guarantee to provide the same level of diligence together with our own brand of responsibility and reliability that in the end means so much and provides total peace of mind and positive reassurance for our customers.
Chosen and trusted by the biggest and best
Our client list reads like a who’s who of British construction and over the years we have been closely involved in many of the country’s biggest and most prestigious projects
We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated people to join our UKAS accredited laboratory team based in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester as trainee Soil and Construction Materials Technicians.
Murray Rix is a long-established thriving company with a large portfolio of diverse long-standing clients. We enjoy a constantly heavy workload and continue to have a superb staff retention rate. We offer excellent on the job training and good progression opportunities to ambitious people.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage all laboratory testing operations (soils, aggregates, concrete, bituminous mixtures, physical & mechanical tests), ensuring tests are performed in accordance with UKAS accreditation / ISO 17025 requirements.
- Maintain and improve the quality management system: internal audits, corrective actions, documentation, calibration, proficiency testing, etc.
- Supervise, train, and mentor staff; manage work schedules; ensure staffing resources meet demand.
- Oversee maintenance, calibration, repair, and purchase of laboratory equipment; manage consumables, spare parts, and budget.
- Plan, schedule, and ensure timely turnaround of client jobs, working closely with site-based teams and client project managers.
- Manage health & safety for laboratory operations, including risk assessments and lab safety standards.
- Contribute to business development: assisting with client relationships, technical proposals, new test methods, continuous improvement of lab capacity and capability.
Person Specification
- Significant experience (5+ years) of supervising/managing a materials laboratory testing environment.
- Good knowledge of UKAS accreditation / ISO 17025 / relevant standards for construction materials testing.
- Strong organisational, planning, and scheduling skills.
- Excellent communication skills (internal team and external clients).
- Good technical ability: interpreting test standards, results, is comfortable with equipment and calibration.
- Strong health & safety mindset.
- Degree in Materials Science, Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or related discipline.
- Experience introducing new testing methods or gaining additional accreditation scopes.
- Experience of in-situ & laboratory-based testing.
- Leadership or formal management training.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary (£40,000-£50,000, depending on experience)
- Generous annual leave + bank holidays
- Supportive, collaborative “small company” culture with real influence over operations and process improvements
- Stable work, good variety: both site-based testing/sampling and lab work
How to Apply
If you meet the above and are excited by the idea of joining Murray Rix to lead our laboratory operations, please send (a) your CV, (b) a cover letter describing your relevant experience, and (c) your salary expectations to: enquiries@murrayrix.com
Please mark your application Laboratory Manager – Murray Rix in the subject line.
Job Meta
- Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
- Employment type: Full-time
- Job function: Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
- Industries: Construction
Laboratory Manager employer: Murray Rix (Northern) Ltd
Murray Rix is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative culture that empowers employees to influence operations and process improvements. With a strong focus on professional development through ongoing training and a commitment to maintaining a family-based independent status, staff enjoy a stable work environment with diverse responsibilities in both site-based testing and laboratory work. Located in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, the company provides competitive salaries and generous annual leave, making it an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the geotechnical engineering sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Laboratory Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Laboratory Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their work in geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing. This will help you showcase your knowledge and enthusiasm during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions related to laboratory management and health & safety standards. Being able to articulate your experience with UKAS accreditation and ISO 17025 will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Murray Rix.
We think you need these skills to ace Laboratory Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Laboratory Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in managing laboratory operations and any specific skills that align with UKAS accreditation and ISO 17025 standards.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for our team. Share specific examples of your past achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves supervising and mentoring staff, be sure to highlight your leadership experience. Talk about how you've successfully managed teams and improved processes in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Murray Rix (Northern) Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UKAS accreditation and ISO 17025 standards. Familiarise yourself with the specific tests and procedures relevant to soils, aggregates, and concrete. This will show that you're not just a good fit for the role but also genuinely interested in the technical aspects of the job.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since the role involves supervising and mentoring staff, be prepared to discuss your previous leadership experiences. Think of examples where you've successfully managed a team or improved processes. This will demonstrate your capability to lead and inspire others in the lab environment.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the company culture, ongoing training programmes, and how they approach business development. This shows that you're engaged and serious about contributing to their success.
✨Highlight Your Health & Safety Mindset
Given the importance of health and safety in laboratory operations, be ready to discuss your experience with risk assessments and safety standards. Share any initiatives you've taken to improve safety in previous roles, as this will resonate well with their values.
