Deputy Laboratory Operations Manager

Overview

As Deputy Laboratory Operations Manager, you will help steer one of the UK’s leading geotechnical labs, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality testing services for major infrastructure and energy projects. You’ll lead teams, optimize workflows, and align resources with client needs and business goals. The role combines people development, process improvement, and strong governance to maintain audit readiness and regulatory compliance. This is a chance to shape operations in a safety‑critical, data‑driven environment.

Pay / Benefits

• Contributory pension scheme
• Private medical insurance
• Health cash plan
• Group life assurance
• Group income protection
• Electric car scheme

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day leadership of laboratory operations to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality testing
• Lead, coach and develop Team Leads and operational support teams
• Coordinate priorities, capacity planning and resource allocation to meet client requirements
• Act as a link between operations, programme management, quality teams and stakeholders
• Drive operational excellence via performance metrics, identify improvements, implement sustainable solutions
• Ensure compliance with quality, accreditation, regulatory and safety requirements and maintain audit readiness
• Provide leadership continuity in the absence of the Laboratory Operations Manager and manage risks

Key requirements

• Degree-level qualification in a technical discipline (engineering geology, civil engineering, geotechnical engineering) or equivalent experience
• Proven experience leading operational delivery in regulated laboratory or similar environment
• Experience managing and developing teams, including workforce planning and performance management
• Strong leadership, service delivery, problem-solving and decision-making with balance of safety, quality, delivery and cost
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across diverse teams

• Strong communication
• Stakeholder management
• Collaborative leadership
• Experience with ISO 17025 quality systems
• Experience in geotechnical soil and rock testing environments
• Experience with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)

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