Laboratory Manager

Job Description

Fugro is looking for an experienced and commercially minded Laboratory Manager to lead our laboratory operation in Wallingford.

This is much broader than a traditional laboratory management position. You will have overall responsibility for the performance and future direction of the laboratory, bringing together commercial performance, operational delivery, people leadership, client relationships, safety, quality and technical capability.  Effectively operating as the business leader for the laboratory, you will ensure it performs successfully today while building the capability, capacity and infrastructure needed for the future.

You do not need to be the person carrying out the laboratory testing. What is important is that you understand how to lead a complex technical operation, can take ownership of its financial and operational performance and know how to bring people, customers and commercial priorities together.

Your role and responsibilities:

You will have ownership of the overall laboratory operation, with a particular focus on commercial performance, operational excellence and sustainable growth.

Your responsibilities will include:

Taking ownership of the laboratory's commercial and operational performance, including P&L and budget responsibility

Ensuring work is delivered safely, efficiently, on time and to the required quality standards

Understanding workload, capacity and utilisation and ensuring the right people, equipment and resources are available

Identifying opportunities to improve revenue, efficiency and overall business performance

Leading and developing the senior laboratory management team

Building capability across the laboratory through succession planning, development and effective organisational structure

Maintaining strong relationships with key clients and ensuring a consistently high level of customer service

Supporting major bids, commercial opportunities and the development of new business

Ensuring appropriate technical governance and maintaining the laboratory's ISO 17025 accreditation

Maintaining a strong focus on health, safety, quality and operational risk

Developing investment plans for equipment, facilities, technology and people

Driving continuous improvement across the operation, including opportunities for automation and digitalisation

Developing the longer term strategy for the laboratory, ensuring it has the capability to meet changing business and customer needs

What you’ll need to thrive in this role:

We are looking for an established senior operational leader who combines strong commercial judgement with experience of managing a complex technical environment.

You are likely to bring:

Significant senior operations, business unit or technical services leadership experience

Proven responsibility for P&L, budgets and commercial performance

Experience leading managers and larger multidisciplinary teams

An established background within a laboratory environment is essential

Experience in a soil laboratory is preferred but not essential

Strong operational management skills, including resource, workload and capacity planning

Experience working closely with customers and supporting commercial growth

A strong understanding of quality, governance, safety and regulatory requirements

Experience improving, developing or transforming an operation

The ability to balance immediate operational demands with longer term strategic priorities

Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust and accountability across an organisation

Knowledge of ISO 17025 would be particularly valuable.

A Master's degree, MBA, Chartered Engineer or Chartered Geologist status, or qualifications such as IOSH or NEBOSH would be advantageous, but we are equally interested in the depth and relevance of your leadership and operational experience.