At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead lab operations, ensuring quality control and driving R&D initiatives.
- Company: Join a successful specialist chemical manufacturer in South East London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and exposure to senior leadership.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing business with global reach.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in a chemical lab, management experience, and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are working with a well-established specialist chemical manufacturer to recruit a Lab / Operations Manager for their site in South East London.
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced laboratory and operations professional to take ownership of quality, R&D, and manufacturing activities within a growing business supplying products to customers across global commercial and secure printing markets.
Reporting directly to the Group Operations Manager, you will play a key role in driving operational performance, developing teams, and supporting the continued growth of the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the laboratory function, overseeing both Quality Control and Research & Development activities.
- Manage laboratory technicians and departmental managers, ensuring high levels of performance and accountability.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across laboratory, production, and operational processes.
- Ensure all products meet customer specifications, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Support product development activities, working closely with technical and commercial teams.
- Monitor operational performance and implement improvements to increase efficiency, productivity, and quality.
- Manage departmental budgets and resources to achieve business objectives.
- Develop, coach, and mentor staff, building capability across the organisation.
- Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, Quality, and Environmental standards.
- Work closely with senior leadership to support business strategy and site development plans.
- Provide operational leadership across the wider manufacturing facility as responsibilities expand within the role.
Requirements
- Minimum of 5 years' experience within a chemical laboratory environment.
- Previous management experience with responsibility for leading and developing people.
- Strong background in Quality Control, Research & Development, and manufacturing operations.
- Experience within inks, coatings, paints, pigments, resins, or other speciality chemical manufacturing environments.
- Ideally educated in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Colour Science, or a related scientific discipline.
- Strong understanding of laboratory operations, quality systems, and manufacturing processes.
- Commercial awareness and experience managing budgets and operational performance.
- Computer literate with strong organisational and administrative skills.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
- Personal Attributes
- Hands-on leader with a proactive and practical approach.
- Strong team player capable of building positive working relationships across all levels of the business.
- Results-driven with a focus on continual improvement and operational excellence.
- Able to balance technical, commercial, and operational priorities effectively.
- Ambitious individual looking to develop into a broader senior leadership role.
- What's on Offer
- Competitive salary (available upon application).
- Opportunity to join a successful and growing specialist manufacturer.
- Direct exposure to senior leadership and strategic business decisions.
- Varied role with responsibility across laboratory, quality, R&D, and operations functions.
- Long-term career progression with the opportunity to take on increasing responsibility.
- Collaborative and supportive working environment within a well-established family-owned business
Lab / Operations Manager in London employer: Smart4Sciences
Smart4Sciences is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. Located in Wales, the company provides comprehensive training and a competitive salary range of £30,000 - £35,000, making it an ideal place for those looking to develop their skills in aerospace materials testing while contributing to meaningful projects.
