Innovation jobs in United Kingdom

Are you an inspiring leader with a scientific background, ready to empower teams and drive operational excellence? Do you want to be at the heart of the UK’s largest independent water testing facility - where your expertise helps safeguard drinking water quality for millions?

• On-site Leadership: Lead from the front, guiding a team of nine direct reports and collaborating with cross-functional partners to drive innovation and excellence.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Health cover, company sick pay, income protection, and wellbeing support.
• Empowering Culture: Join a team where diversity, inclusion, and safety are core values and your leadership will make a real impact.
• Wellbeing & Volunteering: Access our Employee Assistance Programme, enjoy a paid Mental Wellness Day, and take paid time off to support causes you care about.
• Lab Excellence: Apply your scientific expertise in a hands‑on environment, shaping best practice and driving continuous improvement as a manager.

• Lead, motivate, and empower analytical laboratory staff to achieve their best, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and development, ensuring your team has the skills and support needed to excel.
• Optimise laboratory workflows and processes, driving operational efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Ensure full compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards and Health & Safety requirements.
• Manage a diverse portfolio of analytical tests, including water sample analysis (colour, turbidity, metal content by ICP-MS), product testing, odour/flavour assessments, and basic microbiological work.
• Collaborate with Account Management and laboratory teams to plan and prioritise work, maximising client satisfaction and revenue.
• Monitor laboratory income, budgets, and KPIs, identifying opportunities for growth and improvement.
• Champion a strong safety culture and promote open communication across the team.

Support implementation of lean methodologies and best practices.

• Proven leadership experience within a scientific or laboratory environment.
• High standard of education, ideally with a degree in a relevant technical discipline.
• Strong management skills, with a track record of motivating and empowering teams.
• Excellent process management abilities, with experience in workflow optimisation and continuous improvement.
• Business management and financial acumen.

Technical proficiency in analytical laboratory operations and safety requirements.

• Do the Right Thing
• Treat People Well
• Relentlessly Pursue Excellence
• We are one NSF

Ready to lead and inspire? Apply now with your CV and cover letter. Join us and make a difference in a team that values your expertise and leadership!

About Us: With a legacy spanning more than 80 years, NSF leverages science and innovation to improve human and planet health. We provide science-driven, independent testing, inspection, certification, and advisory services and develop the very standards that drive the food, water, and life sciences industries worldwide. We empower our clients to navigate shifting regulations to improve consumer health, safety, and quality of life.

NSF is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability.