Hays are delighted to be partnering with the Office for Product Safety Standards (OPSS) to recruit a key role within their Laboratories team. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Laboratory Manager with excellent communication skills who is looking to work for a national regulator and join a friendly and supportive team. The role is based in Teddington with flexible and hybrid working offered.

The opportunity:

OPSS Testing Laboratories team is a multidisciplinary group of scientists and engineers delivering testing capability across metrology, mechanical, electrical, chemical and flammability facilities. In collaboration with other OPSS evidence teams such as science and engineering, our outputs inform policy development, incident investigation and the delivery and enforcement of product regulations. The successful Laboratory Manager will be crucial in helping to shape the function and vision for our testing facilities. You will apply your strong technical and operations experience, to plan the commissioning of our facilities including the revision of our quality system and health and safety procedures. You will work closely with other Laboratory Managers and colleagues in Finance, Procurement, Estates, Digital and other central parts of OPSS and the wider department to ensure that operational delivery and compliance needs are balanced. Your contribution will be critical in ensuring that our scientists and engineers can work in a functional, safe, well–resourced laboratory environment ensuring they can deliver a high–quality and efficient service. Success in this role will be enabled by collaboration with colleagues and measured by minimising any downtime caused by equipment failure, safety issues or delayed orders.

Responsibilities

Root and branch review of the quality management and health and safety systems for the laboratories after our recent refurbishment and restructure Manage and monitor the operation and performance of the laboratory facilityWork in tandem with Operations Managers and Delivery Managers in Product Safety and Legal Metrology testing to ensure standardisation of practice and compliance with statutory and organisational rulesLine manage a team of science and engineering specialists, signing–off on laboratory risk assessments and other key documents, ensuring standard operating procedures and quality systems are fit for purpose and inclusiveWork closely with our wider Estates Team to ensure that all information required for laboratory operation is readily available to the right people at the right level Oversee high value laboratory equipment and fit–out procurement exercises to ensure that value for money is realised across OPSSImplement a training programme to ensure all staff working in the laboratories are equipped with the knowledge to do so safely and in compliance with quality procedures Closely collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities to develop our testing capability and strengthen our work programme. Develop and maintain a profile in your area of expertise by attendance and participation in relevant external networks, meetings, training events etc. What you'll get in return

Alongside your salary of GBP57,026 you will also be entitled to the below benefits:

Up to GBP4250 in an additional pay allowanceA Civil Service pension with employer contributions of at least 20% of your salaryDepartment for Business and Trade contributes GBP14,827 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension schemeCareer development – Learning and development opportunities as a professional scientist or engineer and as a managerAn environment with flexible working options25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity Selection process

A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria.

A Personal Statement of up to 500 words explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria below:

Essential Criteria

A postgraduate qualification in a technical discipline with considerable experience in a laboratory setting (equivalent experience is also accepted and should be validated with appropriate recognition from a professional institution).Experience managing operations and / or compliance in a testing laboratory, with a working knowledge of relevant health and safety practices and management system standards e.g. ISO17025Experience of implementing new systems and ways of working to meet statutory and / or organisational requirements.Strong negotiating and influencing skills and experience collaborating with a variety of stakeholders.Strong interpersonal, communication, project management and procurement skills. Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in–person interviews by exception.

Interviews will take place week commencing 5th February 2024

Hays have been retained by OPSS to manage the recruitment of this role.