Food Sciences Chromatography Senior Team Leader (12m FTC)

Senior Team Leader Food Science Chromatography

Are you ready to make an impact at RSSL? Join our mission to transform lives through science, innovation, and collaboration.

At Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL), we lead the way in scientific analysis, research, consultancy, and training. We provide services to the food, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries, as well as our parent company, Mondelez International. RSSL is dedicated to delivering world-class scientific solutions and outstanding customer service.

Recognised for our excellence, we were awarded CRO of the Year at the 2023 OBN Awards, adding to our previous accolades Employer of the Year, Enlightened Employer, and Women in Business. If you are passionate about driving innovation and making a real impact, RSSL is the place for you!

Purpose: At RSSL we are customer focused, science led, and results driven. The RSSL Food Sciences (Chromatography) laboratory performs a wide range of analytical analyses for a variety of food and healthcare companies and supports Mondelez research and innovation.

The Food Science Chromatography Senior Team Leader role will report to the Food Science Chromatography Group Leader. Food Sciences focuses on the maintenance and growth of services to external clients, which includes characterization of novel food ingredients and technologies, complex chromatography method development and validations. This role will take responsibility for the day to day management of the laboratory, which encompasses the management of contractual operations, maintenance and progression of the laboratory’s quality systems (UKAS), maintenance of the health and safety programme, supporting with laboratory budgetary responsibilities, and leading delivery to clients.

You will manage a team of scientific staff and will be accountable for ensuring that work is processed in a timely fashion whilst adhering to the prerequisite quality standards expected by RSSL clients and stakeholders. The individual in this position has demonstrated the necessary technical knowledge and business acumen to support the strategic direction for business growth. Additionally, the individual has strong people management skills to influence, manage, and motivate a diverse group of scientists comprising different disciplines and capabilities.

Primary Accountabilities / Responsibilities:

Technical

• Provide high quality customer service at all times by ensuring effective organisation of assigned workload, integrity of analytical data generated, and timely/accurate provision of results.
• Maintain a high level of competency in the use of the laboratories LIMS & data handling systems (Dynamics & QlikView) to effectively manage workflow & monitor financial performance. Provide support to senior management to ensure the smooth business and scientific operation of the Laboratory. Effective project management of assigned business process implementation.
• Build and maintain strong external Food R&D and Life Sciences customer relations and ensure client expectations are met/exceeded.
• Flexibility to adjust changing priorities based on business/stakeholder needs, lab capabilities, and resourcing.
• Build and maintain technical acumen through connecting and communicating with technical experts.
• Collaborate with Commercial and relevant technical staff to identify growth opportunities.
• Plan, allocate, and administer resources to support business growth whilst managing the laboratory budget.
• Responsible for project delivery including checking analytical data and generation of certificate of analysis.
• Responsible for Quality and ensuring work is carried out to the highest standard, recorded as required quality standards, and reported in a timely and professional manner.

Communication & Influence

• Support Laboratory Manager to ensure achievement of principle accountabilities by selection, direction, motivation, and management of staff within Food Sciences. Effectively performance manage all direct reports to the required standard.
• Apply strong interpersonal and networking skills to build and maintain effective working relationships with customers, partners, suppliers, and staff.
• Liaise with clients, stakeholders, Technical specialist, Commercial, and line management to ensure effective communication of proposals and results.
• Utilise technical and communication skills and actively leverage resources in the generation of new business.
• Contributes to technical strategies & influences senior management.

Leadership and Supervision

• Ensure performance & development reviews, including objective setting and personal development plans are carried out in accordance with company procedure.
• Ensure all staff are trained in departmental methods and techniques and be accountable for maintaining a compliant training programme.
• Collaborate with the FI Team Leader and the Laboratory Manager to lead the strategic direction of the Functional Ingredients Laboratory in collaboration with technical specialists and other contributory scientists and consultants to deliver Food R&D and Life Sciences strategy.
• Demonstrate strong organisational skills and a keen eye for detail.

QEHS

• Ensure laboratory procedures comply with, and that staff work to, the prerequisite standards dictated by company requirements.
• In conjunction with the QAU, assist with client and regulatory authority audits. Keep abreast of changes to relevant regulatory and company requirements and contribute to the progression of the laboratory quality system.
• Embed & maintain Environment, Health & Safety commitments, and responsibilities. Write and approve SOPs and Test Methods. Generation and approval of Risk Assessments and COSHH.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience, and Language Requirements:

• Educated to Degree or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline, experience in a food laboratory environment, and proven managerial experience.
• In-depth knowledge of both technical area of expertise & business environment.
• Substantial knowledge of Quality as applicable in the food industry (UKAS).
• Proven ability to lead, motivate & mentor a diverse group of scientific staff to achieve their respective targets/objectives – ability to manage teams through periods of change and able to mentor junior staff to develop abilities.
• Ability to plan strategically to ensure that adequate facility and resource is maintained/allocated. Meticulous attention to detail, excellent verbal, and written skills.
• Technical credibility (food and healthcare) to develop good working relationships with internal and external clients.
• Ability to discuss and understand client’s specific needs (internal & external) & to deal with queries as appropriate.
• Strong communication, networking, and influencing skills and an ability to build customer confidence and commercial relationships.
• Flexible and adaptable to meet customer/business requirements. Well organised and capable of working on multiple activities concurrently. Meticulous attention to detail.
• Proven track record of relevant laboratory experience.
• Experience in Operational Management.
• People Management, Developing and Coaching Others.
• Previous experience in successfully managing financial contracts & budgets with appreciation of the key financial drivers.
• English fluency (written and spoken)

More about this role

In return for your commitment, drive, and enthusiasm, we offer an attractive benefits package within a highly successful international business that offers financial rewards and resources, including:

• Opportunities to learn and develop
• Performance Related Bonus scheme
• Contributory pension (between 8% to 11% employer contribution)
• Life assurance
• 27 days holiday allowance (possibility to buy 5 extra days) + bank holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• A flexible benefits programme (Gym discounts, private health insurance, restaurant discounts, etc)

No Relocation support available

Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL) is a cutting-edge contract research organisation (CRO), providing research, analysis, and consultancy to the food, consumer goods, and life science sectors. Whether we are creating new products, validating medicines, or solving investigations, we take pride in being a leader in our field, serving clients from across 70 countries. Enriched by our parent company, Mondelēz International, our team is committed to transforming lives through science, innovation, and collaboration.

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RSSL is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.