Characterisation Manager

Cawood Scientific Ltd.; Bracknell; On-site; GBP 80,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading analytical services company in Bracknell is seeking an experienced Characterisation Manager to lead operations. The role involves managing a team of 10–20, ensuring quality and compliance in laboratory services. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of ISO and UKAS standards, excellent leadership skills, and the ability to drive performance and engagement. Opportunities for development and a flexible work environment are offered.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Training and development opportunities

Collaborative environment

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of ISO, UKAS, and audit requirements.
• Experience working in a laboratory environment with good operational knowledge.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and coaching skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop your team to drive high performance.
• Oversee workflow and resource planning.
• Ensure all processes meet UKAS and ISO standards.
• Communicate operational updates clearly and professionally.

Skills

Leadership

Laboratory knowledge

Communication

Attention to detail

Collaboration

Job description

**Consent****Cookie Name**: Google Analytics**What it does:** Data Collection, Configuration, Data Processing and Reporting**Why is it used:** Tracks and Reports Traffic (Anonymised) for Web Analytics**How long it lasts:** At least 25 Months .**Enquiries**When contacted with an enquiry, we will hold the entity name and contact details only for the purposes of handling the enquiry.* recognise you whenever you visit this website (this speeds up your access to the website as you do not have to log in each time);* obtain information about your preferences, online movements and use of the internet;* carry out research and statistical analysis to help improve our content, products and services and to help us better understand our customer requirements and interests;* target our marketing and advertising campaigns more effectively by providing interest-based advertisements that are personalised to your interests;* make your online experience more efficient and enjoyable.Cawood is the largest independent provider of analytical laboratory testing and sampling services for the land-based industries in the UK. With 15 sites around the country specialising in different types of analysis, we are always looking for skilled and talented individuals to join our teams. This is an exciting time to join Cawood. The business is growing and there are plenty of opportunities for people who want to work hard, have fun and be part of our success.### ### ### **What You’ll Be Doing**### **People Leadership*** ### Lead, coach, and develop your team to drive high performance and engagement* ### Conduct regular 1:1s, feedback sessions, performance reviews, and development planning* ### Manage recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing staff training* ### Ensure training records, competence, and performance standards are fully maintained* ### Foster a positive, collaborative culture aligned with our values and People Leader expectations### **Operational Delivery*** ### Oversee workflow, resource planning, and staff allocation to meet turnaround times* ### Ensure all processes, equipment, and documentation meet UKAS and ISO/IEC 17025 standards* ### Troubleshoot technical issues and support method development alongside the Technical Team* ### Maintain data integrity, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement using EBOS tools* ### Support implementation and effective use of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)### **Customer & Stakeholder Engagement*** ### Work closely with Customer Services, Business Development and Technical Services* ### Support client meetings and maintain excellent customer relationships* ### Communicate operational updates clearly and professionally across teams### **Quality, Safety & Compliance*** ### Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety, COSHH, SOPs, and accreditation requirements* ### Oversee non-conforming work investigations and corrective actions* ### Maintain a safe, clean, audit‑ready laboratory environment* ### Act as Fire Marshal, First Aider, Internal Auditor or Key Holder when required### ### **What You’ll Bring**### **Essential*** ### Strong understanding of ISO, UKAS, and audit requirements* ### Experience working in a laboratory environment with good operational knowledge* ### Excellent leadership, communication, and coaching skills* ### Ability to manage multiple priorities with strong attention to detail* ### Self‑motivated, collaborative, and confident in driving team performance* ### Hands-on approach with the ability to influence and motivate others### **Desirable*** ### Experience within a UKAS‑accredited laboratory* ### Knowledge of food/feed or chemistry-based laboratory techniques### * ### A key leadership role within a respected and growing organisation* ### Opportunity to shape team culture and drive operational excellence* ### Training, development, and internal progression opportunities* ### Work in a collaborative environment where your ideas and leadership matter### ### If you are an engaging leader with strong laboratory knowledge and a passion for driving people and performance, we’d love to hear from you.### **Apply now and be part of a team that values quality, collaboration, and continuous improvement.**###**Job Description:**### We are looking for an experienced and people‑focused **Characterisation****Manager** to lead our busy operations team at **NRM Bracknell**. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic leader who thrives in a fast‑paced laboratory environment and is passionate about driving performance, engagement, and continuous improvement.### As the **Characterisation****Manager** Receipt Manager, you will oversee a team of 10–20 colleagues, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient day‑to‑day operations while maintaining the highest standards of quality and service.# We spend a lot of our lives at work, so it’s important to us to make Cawood a place our people enjoy working. Cawood is a flexible employer, offering flextime, overtime and time off in lieu to help colleagues manage their work in a way that suits them as well as the business. We believe in working together to find the best outcome for all and we foster a culture of friendliness and family within our teams.# # # *“The people we work with are fun and supportive, even during the more difficult days”*# # *“The flexibility that is offered, especially when you have worked in other laboratory environments”*# # *“The GOAL, the growth plans and opportunities for development in a range of skills”*# # *“The new leadership team and their ambition to invest in people”*# # This year’s People Plan builds upon this fun, flexible and family feel to make Cawood one of the best places to work.