Laboratory Team Leader

Job Description:

Team Leader – Production / Despatch / Sampling

Northampton

We’re looking for a proactive, people-focused Team Leader to support the safe, efficient and high‑quality operation of our Production (including Despatch) or Sampling teams. This is a hands‑on leadership role with full responsibility for safety, team performance, communication, development, lead-time, service and quality.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & People

• Ensure safe working practices are consistently followed (PPE, manual handling, COSHH, COMAH/DSEAR, FLT use, incident reporting, first aid cover).
• Maintain process discipline through training, coaching and performance conversations.
• Support attendance management through return-to-work discussions and HR processes.
• Deliver clear, fair and consistent communication with all team members, including daily progress updates and use of visual performance indicators.
• Conduct regular development discussions and deliver constructive feedback.
• Act as the senior representative on site whenever a manager is not present, escalating issues promptly and appropriately.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Complete NCR investigations within 24 hours and ensure corrective actions are closed out within 5 days.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, performance and safety.
• Contribute to audits and operational improvement activities across the wider operations team.

Production & Despatch Responsibilities

• Allocate team resources dynamically based on order priorities and freight requirements.
• Maintain strong cross-training within the team to prevent capability gaps.
• Review and update daily production reporting by 10am, with follow-up updates as needed.
• Work closely with QSHE, QC, Planning, Shipping and Purchasing to minimise delays and manage unexpected issues.
• Ensure stock accuracy remains above 99%, reporting any shortages or write‑downs promptly.

Sampling Responsibilities

• Allocate daily tasks in line with BMS priorities and operational needs.
• Ensure the whole team can work autonomously across different processes (where possible).
• Lead continuous improvement focused on reducing unnecessary movement and handling.
• Maintain strict compliance with process safety (e.g., compound heating).
• Communicate consistently with internal stakeholders through email.
• Escalate issues affecting customers (e.g., new RM/GY) and ensure all shipments leave on time.
• Work closely with planning and stock management to reduce waste and lead-times.

Teamwork & Reporting

• Support wider Operations tasks, including audits and cross-team activities.
• Maintain transparency in workload and performance to drive improvement.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Ensure all required reports are completed accurately and on time.

Skills & Attributes

• Full UK driving licence.
• FLT licence (desirable for Production/Despatch).
• Strong decision-maker with the ability to use data and people insights.
• Calm, respectful and professional under pressure.
• Excellent communicator who listens and leads by example.
• Confident using MS Office, D365/MRP and other digital systems.
• Consistent in meeting deadlines and achieving objectives.
• Positive, collaborative and aligned with company values.

INDKTT