Laboratory Technical Manager

Job description

Tradebe is a group of industrial businesses with the commitment of creating a more sustainable planet and making significant contributions to human wellbeing. Our main business line Tradebe Environmental Services is an international leader focused on recycling, energy recovery and circular economy, managing all different environmental liabilities in a sustainable way. We provide services to the entire industrial complex with high safety and quality standards.

Tradebe Inutec has supported the UK’s decommissioning mission for 35 years and we continue to develop new treatment and processing solutions to help our customers tackle challenging wastes in a way that benefits our customers and the environment. 

At our Winfrith nuclear licensed site, we have the most extensive UK & overseas authorisations and safety case of any UK commercial company. Our suitably qualified & experienced personnel provide unrivalled insight and practical experience for radioactive waste treatment services ranging from radiochemistry, treatment, encapsulation, size reduction, incineration, through to disposal. This gives us unparalleled scope and ability to provide innovative and integrated solutions to complex waste projects.

 
We are currently looking for a Laboratory Technical Manager to join us on site in Winfrith.
 

The role

To act as Technical Manager in the ACS function with responsibility for compliance with ISO 17025, Method Development, Machine Maintenance, Supplier relationships and associated SLA’s, QA/QC/Lab SSHEQ, Inventory and Waste Disposals, and to be the Principal Radiochemist. 

To be able to perform chemical and radiochemical analyses and supporting operations in the laboratories with an extended experience and knowledge of analytical techniques and instrumentation.  To also provide support the Commercial Team in response and reasoning for all technical queries and contract delivery

Duties and Responsibilities

Chemical and Radiochemical Analyses

•Act as Principal Radiochemist
•Receive and log samples into the sample management system
•Guide and support with preparation of samples for analysis
•Guide and support with analyses as per the QA wallet
•Calibrate instruments and equipment as per their schedule
•Ensure instrument performance checks have been completed
•Guide and support with data entry into analysis spreadsheet for checking
•Data interpretation and method troubleshooting
•Ensure QA checks are carried out and recorded
•Ensure laboratory notebooks are maintained up-to-date
•Develop new/existing analytical techniques
•Develop more efficient working practices
•Learn all the methods in depth and have a working knowledge 
•Check and validate analysis spreadsheets/lab notebooks prepared by others

Supporting Operations

•Perform operational work and support other Tradebe Inutec (TI) activities away from the labs, if required
•Archiving and disposal of samples and QA documentation
•Share best practice for lab operations and knowledge with staff to improve ACS capability

Management

•    Act as Dept QA Manager for Technical aspects of ISO 17025
•    Represent the ACS technically on external meetings
•    Host technical meetings
•    Assist with weekly programme schedules, monitoring and regulation
•    Assist with staff/laboratory metrics
•    Assist the Laboratory Manager with the financial aspects of delivery
•    Prepare/review/approve analytical reports, as needed
•    Prepare/review analytical QA documentation, as needed
•    Spreadsheet development and validation
•    Review and approve purchase orders in SAP
•    Conduct/review/approve staff appraisals and reviews, as applicable
•    Monitor daily the laboratory housekeeping and final check

Health and Safety

•Ensure appropriate QA and safe working practices are employed
•Identify, implement and comply with applicable security, safety, health, environmental, quality, company procedures/policy, legislative and regulatory requirements
•Ensure that the corporate PROUD ethos is visible and promoted throughout all activities carried out at the site
 

The person

To be successful in this role you will need to have a mix of the following:

Essential Skills

• Qualified to a degree level or equivalent in Chemistry
• Extensive experience within the nuclear industry
• Strong focus on customer first and optimisation 
• Working to the requirements of BS EN ISO/IEC 17025
• In-depth knowledge of analytical techniques and instrumentation
• Ability to work independently
• Good written, presentation and verbal communication skills
• Good time management
• Professional and positive approach
• Self-motivated
• Laboratory and personnel management, including staff training
• Project and financial management
   

Desirable Skills

•    Professional membership or accreditation in a science discipline or working towards it
•    Knowledge of the waste industry
•    Operation of a Sample Management System

We offer

•    Competitive salary
•    Annual bonus  
•    Contributory Pension   
•    Flexible benefits (access to our benefits platform for discounts and cash back on shopping purchases, gyms and leisure activities, cycle to work scheme and dedicated wellbeing centre)