Role Profile
Laboratory Manager
Typical job description:
Laboratory Managers organise and control staff and resources involved with the testing and formulation of existing and new materials. They work closely with the Research and Development & Quality Departments, where the type of work can often overlap. The manager will be involved with specifying and sometimes designing the type of testing arrangement required for a given material, component part or complete assembly. Preparing and analysing test results and making recommendations on findings is a key part of the job role.
The work focuses on ensuring that existing materials and products remain fit for purpose and that new material selections and features/design of new products will perform to given customer standards. Tests may involve colour matching and stability, product or component part distortion, fatigue or resistance to heat and fire. Some work may be carried out in sterile conditions when investigating products produced for the medical or electronics industry.
Key Processes:
The exact nature of the work will depend on the size of the employing organisation.
However, it will almost certainly involve:
- Performing analysis and experiments on computer controlled testing equipment.
- Specifying the type of testing and analysis to be undertaken
- Writing and conducting analysis on technical reports.
- Work in development teams to introduce new materials, products.
- Testing products to destruction.
- Advise on the suitability of which materials to use in the manufacture of the product.
- Work with customers, designers and material suppliers.
Entry Level:
Promotion from within the company can often come from technicians currently operating within the Laboratory or Quality departments, where candidates will have achieved HNC/D or a Degree in Polymer or Materials Science.
Search for related degrees or courses:
Industry Standard:
HNC/D or Degree in Polymer or Materials Science. Plus a management or Supervisory Qualification.
Competencies:
- Management and/or Supervisory skills
- Analytical & diagnostic skills
- High standard in computer literacy
- Able to work in teams
- Good communication and written skills
- Materials analysis & testing
- Materials processing techniques
- Accuracy and attention to detail
Knowledge needed for the role:
- Knowledge of the properties, characteristics and processing behaviour of polymer materials
- Testing and analysis equipment
- Current processing technology methods
- Materials Fow Analysis
- Information Communications Technology
- Specifications and procedures
Pay and conditions:
Starting salaries for this position commence at £27,000 to £30,000 per year
Laboratory Managers usually work 37 hours per week. Some jobs involve shifts, nights or on call duties.
Most work is conducted in a clean laboratory environment
Other information:
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