Laboratory Team Leader (0000035666)

Overview

Reference
0000035666

Salary
£30,000 - £33,000/annum

Job Location
- United Kingdom -- England -- East Midlands -- Northamptonshire -- Northampton

Job Type
Permanent

Posted
12 February 2026


Team Leader – Production / Despatch / Sampling

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


Contact information

Lorna Shortland-louth