Laboratory Quality and Improvement Manager

Job Introduction

Job Description for Laboratory Quality and Improvement Manager:

This is where your skills play a critical role in keeping everyone safe. Working in Safety, Security & Safeguards gives you the chance to make your mark on some hugely interesting projects. NNL does work that nobody else in the sector is doing, and this means we need experts like you to make it possible, whilst keeping everyone safe. We’re committed to using nuclear science to benefit society for years to come. This means that you can build a long and successful career here whilst playing a meaningful role in delivering cleaner energy, reducing waste and keeping colleagues and the public out of harm’s way.

Responsible for laboratory operations and quality across NNL’s analytical laboratories with extensive experience of delivering technical programmes of work in active facilities. 

To implement and maintain a Quality Management System (QMS) for all aspects of laboratory practice so as to comply with the ISO 17025 standard, the standards of the UKAS accreditation body and the Site Licence Conditions and to enable safe, efficient and good quality analysis work to be delivered, meeting customer expectations and adhering to company procedures and deliverables.

To implement operational improvements into the laboratories and drive a culture of continuous improvement.

The location for this role is flexible and can be based at either Preston or Sellafield.

Role Responsibility

Main Responsibilities for Laboratory Quality and Improvement Manager:

• Undertake the required quality roles and responsibilities for a Quality Manager as defined in the M&A Quality Manual, to aid the maintenance of the M&A Quality Management System and IS017025 Accreditation.
• To be instrumental in the development and maintenance of a culture of quality, critical review and continuous improvement within the laboratory. 
• To maintain the Preston Laboratory UKAS accreditation and achieve UKAS accreditation at Central Laboratory. Travel between the M&A laboratories at Preston and Sellafield will be required.
• Develop, maintain and oversee the testing laboratory’s Quality System, Quality Manual and Quality Procedures to meet the UKAS requirements in accordance ISO 17025. Provide support to the Capability Manager, Safety Representatives (DAP/Task Supervisor) and/or Technical SQEP in the production and review of procedural, technical and safety documents within the management system to ensure work permissioning, quality and safety requirements are satisfied. 
• Manage the NNL document control process within M&A and ensure documents are approved, reviewed and updated to include all critical changes for documents within the QMS. 
• To develop, facilitate, co-ordinate and maintain the audit of laboratory processes and to be responsible for the dissemination of information relating to quality to all laboratory staff and the training of internal auditors.
• To report to the laboratory management and the wider team on the functioning and effectiveness of the quality management system.
• Development, validation and approval of technical methods within the M&A Team.
• To request, record, respond and manage customer feedback within the M&A Team. 
• Identify and manage training needs within the team, alongside the Capability Manager.
• Identify trends within the whole management system and conduct root cause analysis.
• Champion a continuous improvement culture within the team and identify and manage areas for improvement alongside the Capability Manager.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Criteria for Laboratory Quality and Improvement Manager:

• Degree level qualified (or significant related experience).
• Experience working in the areas of analytical chemistry and radiochemistry in the Nuclear Industry.
• Knowledge of the ISO 17025 (2017) quality standard.
• Proven experience of working to or managing a quality system within or similar to ISO 17025.
• Competent Internal Auditor.
• Experience of working in a fast paced and often demanding commercial laboratory environment.
• Proven track record of delivering and supporting customer programs of work to time cost and quality.
• Commitment to meeting stretching targets and deadlines.
• Ability to multi-task, with good planning and organisational skills to allow adaptability to change in demands and priorities.
• Self-motivated with an ability to liaise at all levels and can advise senior leadership. 
• Strong written, verbal, analytical and interpersonal skills. 
• Working knowledge of MS Office suite of software.
• Ability to obtain SC level security clearance (this includes but is not limited to identity, employment, financial and criminal record checks plus 5 years’ worth of UK residency).

Desirable Criteria for Laboratory Quality and Improvement Manager:

• Full working knowledge of ISO 17025 or experience in a quality manager role working to similar ISO standard.
• Member of the Chartered Quality Institute.
• Auditor Qualification/Course Participation.
• Experience of IOSH managing safely practices or equivalent.

About the Company

Grounded in robust science and decades of experience, National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is the authoritative voice in the UK and beyond for technological development within the nuclear power sector.

Our unparalleled understanding of the science, challenges and opportunities makes us an unrivalled authority and partner in the field, providing experts, technologies, and access to cutting-edge facilities to organisations around the world.

Harnessing potential technologies and translating them into to industry-ready solutions means our pioneering approach spearheads international improvement and technological progress.

We work on projects as small as drilling a hole to analyse underground wastes with our integrated micro drilling technology, or as large as developing state-of-the-art power systems for spacecraft, based on radioactive materials

NNL has a vision for Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (ED&I) where NNL aims to be an inclusive workplace that attracts diverse talent through transparent and equal policies and procedures. We want you and the diverse mix of people that we employ, customers that we service and stakeholders that we influence to feel valued. We encourage a workplace culture where everyone can thrive with a sense of belonging.

Recruitment Agency Notice

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List (PSL) for the provision of recruitment services. Only agencies on our PSL may provide CVs and only when the role is released to them by our recruitment team. We will not accept unsolicited CVs from suppliers not currently on our PSL. We explicitly reserve the right to add candidate details from unsolicited CVs from non-PSL agencies into our own candidate database and to pursue/hire such candidate(s) without any obligation, financial or otherwise, to the agency concerned.

National Nuclear Laboratory