Laboratory Manager

We have an exciting opportunity for a Laboratory Manager within our Textile Testing Laboratory.

Heathcoat Fabrics has been a pioneer in textile manufacturing for more than two centuries, specialising in the development and production of highly engineered technical fabrics. Our market-leading solutions keep emergency service workers safe, help renewable energy industries combat climate change, protect military forces globally, safeguard the environment, enhance the lifespan and efficiency of road, rail and air transport, and even safely deliver a soft landing on distant planets.

About the department and role

Our Textile Testing Lab prepares and tests to exacting specifications for product release and to provide accurate and reliable data for product development and continuous improvement across the business, to improve product and processes.

The responsibilities of the Laboratory Manager role include ensuring the Textile Laboratory team meets business requirements by maintaining required levels of performance and productivity to meet testing cycle time targets. The successful candidate will provide leadership to the lab teams, identifying any training and development requirements as appropriate, ensuring that there is full coverage of skills across the department.

Responsible for driving problem solving, continuous improvement and selecting and validating new lab equipment to improve productivity and replace existing equipment.

Responsible for ensuring the lab maintains a high level of compliance to internal, external and customer requirements. The ideal candidate would develop and implement expectations of applicable good laboratory practices throughout the lab and lead the implementation of required management systems and elements as required by company policy, such as ISO17025 and the applicable elements of IATF16949, ensuring compliance with existing management standards and company policies.

Skills, knowledge and experience required

Essential

• Degree qualified or equivalent level qualification or experience in an appropriate field
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office
• Ability to problem-solve and utilise core quality tools
• Ability to statistically analyse data for trends and patterns

The following are desirable

• Experience or qualifications in lean tools, such as Six Sigma or FMEA Green Belt
• Ability to use statistical software packages such as SPC XL
• Laboratory management/ supervisory experience
• Experience within the textile industry
• Previous experience working within a testing or laboratory environment.

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