Laboratory Manager

The Opportunity

This role is multi-disciplinary, and the successful candidate will support the day to day operations of a defined set of laboratories and daily operational management of a small team. They will be responsible for health and safety requirements and compliance, monitoring and maintenance of equipment and laboratory resources to ensure a safe and secure working environment.

They will act as the first point of contact for research staff to deal with problems within the laboratories. They will liaise with other suppliers, senior stakeholders and scientists ensuring continuity of key technical services by measuring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and adhering to Service Level Agreements (SLAs). This is an operational position with line management responsibilities.

As part of a small team the candidate will be required to provide cover for their colleagues in receiving, packing and shipping R&D samples (biological, chemical, etc.), ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and transport regulations (air/road/sea) and other Lab Support activities where required.

Position Profile

A Lab Manager (LM) operates across multidiscipline Biopharma and Chemistry laboratories at AstraZeneca, playing a pivotal role within a dynamic environment, enabling great science across therapeutic areas.

In coordination with multiple internal groups as well as external contractors and vendors, the LM is tasked with providing support, guidance, services, efficiencies and infrastructure to enable Scientists to focus on scientific delivery. LM ensures equipment is in good working order and that supplies, space and information are available to the end users. LM works as part of numerous cross-functional teams to accomplish a wide range of goals in a timely and effective manner.

Major Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Operational day-to-day Laboratory management providing a 'single point of contact' for laboratory scientists and external visitors
• Ensures the laboratory maintains its operational efficiency by liaising with all Facilities Management (FM) suppliers - planning preventative and scheduled maintenance regimes with minimal impact to daily operations, ensuring any FM helpdesk requests are completed
• Assists with organised visits from internal/external partners and regulatory bodies
• Maintains and organises laboratory consumable inventories and provides reports to the Dept leadership team as requested
• Performs laboratory inductions for internal/external and temporary lab users working in the area to familiarise them with laboratory policies and procedures
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and efficiencies within laboratory spaces and cross-functional teams
• Co-ordinates with laboratory scientists to ensure regular laboratory cleans are completed effectively
• Serves as a committee member on several cross functional teams including: SHE Safety Committee, Operations Lab Rep meetings, FM Supply Partner meetings. Ensures relevant actions are implemented and completed within a timely manner.
• Manages and maintains positive working relationships with internal research groups, contractors, suppliers, service providers and inspectors
• undefined Equipment: Works with IT/other service providers to ensure equipment is running effectively, scientists are sufficiently provided and that AZ assets (especially high-cost equipment) are fully utilisedMay perform specialist equipment user performance checks and acts as the super-user of defined instruments as agreed with Dept leadership* Manages and co-ordinates lab instrumentation maintenance, installation and repair through service providers * Knowledge or experience of equipment IQ/OQ/PQ is an advantage Health and Safety Compliance (SHE) * Supports the Dept leadership team with health and safety compliance and identification/delivery of improvements. This may include facilitating SHE meetings, supporting the Lab Safety Coordinator (LSC) with documentation (e.g. COSHH, risk assessments), ensuring SHE information is communicated to the laboratory users and leadership team* Performs monthly SHE inspections in the lab, participates in SHE or service audits and leads the implementation of actions* Ensures daily compliance to SHE procedures (e.g. PPE) and proactively reports and prevents near misses and unsafe conditions within the laboratory environment Additional Responsibilities - where applicable Actively supports Scientists in researching and testing of alternative consumables.May monitor spend aligned to capital investments and laboratory consumables; provides inventories and spreadsheets for tracking depreciation liaising with other service providers where requiredSupports new equipment demand by liaising with the Capital Demand Manager and works with the scientists to identify future requirements and new innovations in technology to further enhance scientific capability within the functionLiaise with external suppliers and industry specialists to arrange demo kit/training to support new equipment demand undefinedundefined

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline, preferably Chemistry/ Biochemistry, or equivalent laboratory experience

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Competencies

• Proven excellent customer service focus and ability to work collaboratively
• Clear and concise written and spoken communication skills
• Ability to influence people at all levels to deliver improvements and cost savings to the customer
• Knowledge and experience of lean sigma processes is an advantage
• Knowledge and experience of Change Control or similar change processes is required.
• Able to partner with other teams and suppliers and deliver results in a matrix environment, managing multiple internal and external partners/stakeholders
• Excellent problem-solving capabilities and confidence to make clear decisions sometimes with limited information
• Exceptional planning, organisational, analytical and networking skills
• Project management skills, ability to be flexible and handle multiple responsibilities and tasks on a regular basis
• Proficient in data capture, analysis and reporting utilising various IT systems particularly Microsoft Excel
• Multiple years of experience working in a laboratory environment
• Managing a busy laboratory with a large number of users
• Knowledge of SHE requirements in a laboratory environment
• IOSH certification is an advantage
• Knowledge of GLS, and GxP regulations, audit requirements and CAPAs
• Good team worker, demonstrating loyalty and commitment to the organisation and team members
• Flexible with working hours when required to deliver the service required to our customers
• Self-motivated, energetic, dependable, with a clear attention to detail
• Meticulous focus on quality
• Willing to work at the new R&D facility in central Cambridge

Environmental Working Conditions & Physical Effort

This role is primarily based within a scientific laboratory, with some tasks requiring office-based desk work. The position routinely involves the handling of, and potential exposure to, hazardous materials and substances, for which appropriate training and safety protocols are in place. Physical requirements include frequent walking, standing for extended periods, bending, reaching, and the ability to lift or carry items typically weighing up to 20kg.

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