Laboratory Manager in Grantham

Location: Grantham, Lincolnshire

Salary: Up to £40,000, depending on experience

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Job type: Permanent, Full Time

Are you an experienced Laboratory Manager, Senior Laboratory Technician, Lab Supervisor or Analytical Laboratory Lead looking for a role where your work directly supports the UK's renewable energy and sustainable agriculture sector? This is an excellent opportunity to lead the laboratory function for a growing renewable energy business operating within the anaerobic digestion, biogas, environmental testing and bioresources sector.

The role would suit someone with a background in biology, chemistry, environmental science, water, wastewater, AD, agricultural science, analytical testing or process laboratory operations who enjoys combining hands-on laboratory work with team leadership, data accuracy, quality control and laboratory development.

The Role

As Laboratory Manager, you will be responsible for the safe, accurate and efficient operation of the laboratory service. You will manage laboratory technicians, coordinate workloads, oversee routine analysis and reporting, and ensure laboratory results are delivered accurately and within agreed timescales. You will also play a key role in developing laboratory methods, improving processes, maintaining equipment, supporting sampling activity across operational sites and ensuring high standards of health, safety, COSHH and risk management.

The role reports to the Head of Bioprocess and involves regular contact with internal departments, operational sites, suppliers and external customers. The position also includes line management of laboratory technicians and responsibility for ensuring the team is trained and competent in the analyses they perform.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the safe and efficient day-to-day operation of the laboratory.
• Lead, support and coordinate the workload of laboratory technicians.
• Ensure laboratory analysis is completed accurately, safely and on time.
• Maintain high standards of laboratory quality control and data accuracy.
• Review, develop and implement laboratory methods and analysis procedures.
• Maintain accurate laboratory databases, biology spreadsheets and analysis records.
• Generate routine laboratory reports and distribute results to relevant stakeholders.
• Oversee sample receipt, storage, logging, dispatch and coordination with operational sites.
• Ensure laboratory equipment is maintained, calibrated and operating correctly.
• Manage laboratory stock, supplies, equipment and supplier relationships.
• Create and update SOPs, methods, COSHH documentation and risk assessments.
• Support laboratory development, new analysis methods and accreditation processes.
• Visit operational sites when required to support sampling, training and analysis activity.

About You

You may already be working as a Laboratory Manager, Lab Supervisor, Senior Laboratory Technician, Analytical Chemist, Environmental Laboratory Technician, Water Testing Laboratory Lead, Wastewater Laboratory Analyst or Biogas Laboratory Specialist.

You will ideally have:

• A degree in biology, chemistry, environmental science or a related discipline.
• Laboratory experience within AD, biogas, water, wastewater, environmental testing, agriculture, chemistry, biology or process industries.
• Previous experience supervising, mentoring or line-managing laboratory staff.
• Strong knowledge of laboratory testing, quality control and data accuracy.
• Experience writing or working with SOPs, methods, COSHH documents, risk assessments and reports.
• Strong Excel, database and general IT skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and a methodical approach to laboratory work.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to prioritise complex workloads.
• Strong communication skills and confidence working with internal teams, suppliers and external stakeholders.
• A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle.
• A background in anaerobic digestion, water or wastewater would be a major advantage, although strong laboratory management experience from another relevant scientific, environmental or process-led sector will also be considered.

Why Apply?

This is a chance to join a growing business operating in one of the UK's most important renewable energy sectors. You will be taking ownership of a key laboratory function, supporting operational performance across multiple sites and helping to improve the quality, accuracy and development of in-house testing capability. You will have the opportunity to lead a small laboratory team, improve systems and processes, introduce new methods and play a direct role in supporting sustainable energy production.

If you are an experienced laboratory professional looking for a leadership role within renewable energy, environmental testing or biogas, we would be keen to hear from you. Apply today for immediate consideration.