Laboratory Manager in Chesterfield

Responsible for:

The safe, compliant and efficient operation of the calibration laboratory; laboratory personnel; technical output; customer service; and the delivery of agreed operational and financial performance.

Purpose of the Role:

• To lead and manage the day-to-day operation of the calibration laboratory, ensuring work is completed safely, accurately, efficiently and within agreed turnaround times.
• To maintain technical compliance with BS EN ISO/IEC 17025, UKAS requirements, Company procedures, applicable standards and customer specifications.
• To provide strong technical leadership, ideally with an electrical calibration bias, while supporting the delivery and development of pressure, dimensional, force, torque, mass and temperature calibration activities.
• To develop a capable, accountable and customer-focused laboratory team that consistently achieves quality, productivity and service objectives.
• To support the commercial growth of the laboratory by developing existing and new calibration capabilities, including Equipment Technical Specifications (ETS), methods, uncertainty budgets and scope-extension activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage laboratory resources, workloads and priorities to achieve customer requirements, agreed turnaround times and business targets.
• Lead, coach and manage a medium-sized team of technicians and support personnel, including work allocation, performance management, competency development, training, attendance and conduct.
• Ensure all calibration work and certificates are technically valid, traceable and completed in accordance with approved procedures and relevant national or international standards.
• Maintain a safe, clean and controlled laboratory environment in accordance with Company health, safety, quality and environmental requirements.
• Act as the principal point of contact for laboratory customers, dealing professionally with technical enquiries, quotations, complaints, delays, priorities and service issues.
• Work collaboratively with Quality, Operations, Sales and other CTS laboratories to maintain compliance, resolve technical issues and maximise laboratory capacity.

Daily Tasks

• Plan and monitor daily, weekly and monthly laboratory workloads, ensuring suitable personnel, equipment, reference standards and consumables are available.
• Review productivity, utilisation, turnaround time, work in progress, overdue work, rework, quality performance and financial results; produce clear performance reports with corrective actions and forecasts for senior management.
• Set individual and team objectives, conduct regular one-to-ones and performance reviews, and address underperformance promptly and fairly.
• Maintain the laboratory competency matrix and ensure personnel are trained, supervised, witnessed and formally authorised only for activities they are competent to perform.
• Provide technical support and oversight for electrical calibration, including electrical safety, measurement traceability, equipment suitability, method application and interpretation of results.
• Provide or coordinate technical oversight across pressure, dimensional, force, torque, mass and temperature disciplines, using suitably competent specialists where required.
• Prepare, review and approve Equipment Technical Specifications (ETS), calibration procedures, technical records, uncertainty budgets, validation studies and supporting risk assessments.
• Support the introduction of new equipment and services through business cases, supplier evaluation, commissioning, validation, training and UKAS scope-extension activity.
• Ensure reference standards and laboratory equipment are controlled, maintained, calibrated and fit for purpose, with appropriate contingency and replacement planning.
• Review calibration data and certificates within the limits of formal authorisation, ensuring amendments, statements of conformity and decision rules are correctly applied.
• Investigate nonconforming work, complaints, audit findings, equipment failures and adverse trends; identify root causes and implement effective corrective actions.
• Coordinate internal audits, UKAS assessments, proficiency testing and interlaboratory comparisons relevant to laboratory activities and ensure resulting actions are completed on time.
• Develop and maintain positive customer relationships, attend customer meetings where required and communicate openly regarding technical requirements, progress and service performance.
• Support quotation and contract review by confirming technical capability, measurement range, uncertainty, standards, lead time, resources and commercial viability.
• Control laboratory expenditure and contribute to budgeting, investment planning, supplier management and the achievement of revenue and margin targets.
• Promote continuous improvement in laboratory layout, workflow, systems, data integrity, automation, efficiency and customer experience.
• Carry out any other relevant duties reasonably required by senior management.

Knowledge & Experience

• Substantial experience within a calibration or metrology laboratory, ideally with a strong electrical calibration bias.
• Practical knowledge of electrical calibration principles, standards, reference equipment, measurement uncertainty, traceability and electrical safety.
• Experience or working knowledge of several additional calibration disciplines, ideally including pressure, dimensional, force, torque, mass and temperature.
• Proven experience of managing and developing a medium-sized technical team, including workload planning, performance management and competency control.
• Good working knowledge of BS EN ISO/IEC 17025 and experience of working within a UKAS-accredited laboratory environment, including producing or reviewing Equipment Technical Specifications (ETS), calibration methods, uncertainty budgets and technical validation records.
• Experience of dealing directly with customers and resolving technical, quality and service-related issues.
• Experience of analysing operational data and producing clear performance reports, actions and recommendations for senior management.
• Strong organisational, decision-making and communication skills, with the ability to balance technical quality, customer service, safety and commercial priorities.
• Competence in Microsoft Office and laboratory or calibration management software; experience of ProCal, QMSoft, NetSuite or similar systems would be advantageous.
• A relevant engineering, electrical, metrology or technical qualification is desirable; equivalent knowledge gained through substantial industry experience will also be considered.
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to customer and Company locations as required.
• Willingness to perform overtime as reqired.

Personal Attributes

• Reliable, punctual, and safety-conscious
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Flexible and adaptable to changing site conditions and schedules
• Willingness to travel between sites and work outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Visible, calm and accountable leader who sets clear standards and follows through on commitments.
• Commercially aware, customer-focused and able to make evidence-based decisions.
• Methodical and detail-oriented, while retaining a clear view of priorities and overall business performance.
• Able to challenge constructively, manage change and build effective working relationships at all levels.