Laboratory Supervisor
Location: Northampton, NN4 7DY
Job type: Full-time, Permanent
Work location: On site
About 20/30 Labs
20/30 Labs is a UKAS-accredited contract testing laboratory based in Brackmills, Northampton. We process thousands of water and associated samples every week, testing for organisms including Legionella, Pseudomonas, E. coli, Mycobacteria and other microorganisms.
Our standards are high, and the pace of work is fast. Accuracy, reliability, teamwork and compliance with laboratory procedures are essential.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced and organised Laboratory Supervisor to support the day-to-day running of our laboratory.
This is a hands-on position, combining laboratory testing with responsibility for coordinating daily laboratory activities and supporting the Laboratory Technicians.
The Laboratory Supervisor will act as the first point of contact in the laboratory for routine operational issues, help manage workload and priorities, monitor sample progress, maintain laboratory standards and take responsibility for laboratory stock and inventory.
The role reports to the Laboratory Manager.
Main Responsibilities
- Act as the first point of contact for Laboratory Technicians for day-to-day laboratory questions and operational issues.
- Coordinate and allocate daily laboratory work according to workload and priorities.
- Monitor sample progress and ensure urgent and time-sensitive samples are prioritised appropriately.
- Identify potential delays and redistribute work where required.
- Carry out routine laboratory testing and practical laboratory duties alongside the team.
- Provide day-to-day guidance and support to Laboratory Technicians.
- Ensure laboratory SOPs, procedures, quality requirements and health and safety requirements are followed.
- Ensure laboratory records, logs and documentation are completed correctly.
- Identify and escalate errors, deviations, sample issues and potential non-conformances.
- Ensure the laboratory is maintained in a clean, tidy and organised condition.
- Take responsibility for laboratory stock and inventory, including monitoring stock levels, minimum stock requirements and expiry dates.
- Maintain stock records and identify items requiring purchase before stock becomes critically low.
- Check that laboratory deliveries and supplies are correctly received, organised and stored.
- Report purchasing requirements and critical stock shortages to the Laboratory Manager.
- Act as the first point of contact for routine laboratory equipment issues and escalate problems where required.
- Support the training of Laboratory Technicians and new starters.
- Identify training or competency gaps and raise these with the Laboratory Manager.
- Escalate significant quality, safety, staffing, equipment or operational issues to the Laboratory Manager.
What We Are Looking For:
Essential
- Previous experience working in a laboratory environment.
- Practical experience carrying out laboratory testing or laboratory processes.
- Good understanding of laboratory procedures and good laboratory practice.
- Ability to organise and prioritise work in a busy laboratory environment.
- Ability to support, guide and coordinate other members of the laboratory team.
- Good attention to detail and accurate record-keeping skills.
- Good communication and teamwork skills.
- Confidence identifying problems and escalating issues appropriately.
- Good computer skills and ability to use laboratory systems.
- Responsible, reliable and organised approach to work.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage changing priorities.
Desirable
- Previous experience in a microbiology or UKAS-accredited laboratory.
- Previous supervisory, senior technician or team leader experience.
- Experience with microbiological water testing.
- Experience with membrane filtration and microbiological media.
- Experience using LIMS.
- Experience with laboratory stock and inventory management.
- BSc or equivalent qualification in microbiology, biomedical science, biology or another relevant scientific subject.
To apply, please submit your CV and a short statement explaining your relevant experience.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £28,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounted or free food
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Northampton NN4 7DY: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- Supervising: 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person
