Product Safety Laboratory Manager (m/f/d)
About the role
A Product Safety Laboratory Manager will be based in the R&D Product Safety Laboratory in Erlensee, providing analytical chemistry testing for Group R&D, strategic innovation projects and major business projects. You will take a lead role in designing, executing, and analysing experiments (and data) in-line with agreed milestones and deliverables. You will be able to perform root cause analysis & other troubleshooting activities, understanding issues quickly and implementing resolutions to enable developments in a timely manner.
This role will involve managing a team, to ensure productivity of laboratory work requests, within set KPIs and SLAs. The role will have a mixture of laboratory management, material testing and analysis, and developing test methodologies and product technologies, supporting mainly the Group R&D team.
Key responsibilities:
* Manage the product safety laboratory and team, coordinating daily activities, workflows, requests, and fostering an agile laboratory culture and growth mindset.
* With the support of the PS and S&B teams, establish and develop a testing regime based on the specific product/application and relevant regulatory requirements.
* Organize resource deployment of laboratory engineers to support R&D trials, conducting instantaneous assessment of materials and/or manufacturing processes including analysis, conclusions, improvements and providing agility for business value & trial success.
* Training coordinator for all site staff utilizing any research laboratory equipment, including support for all members of R&D.
* Lead experimental design, execution, interpretation, and data analysis and reach sound technical conclusions based on fundamental scientific principles and propose future project work.
* Lead and direct continuous improvement initiatives, within the research laboratory, on instruments, test methods, procedures, and practices to improve efficiency and performance.
* Act as a Subject Matter Expert to troubleshoot laboratory results & perform root-cause analysis (RCA) to highlight and understand issues from either manufacturing or new material development.
* Knowledge of the food contact regulatory environment.
* Knowledge of the main methods and techniques used test food contact materials (paper, board, inks, adhesives, etc…).
* Coordinate with the Head of Laboratory Services and other R&D Team Leader to ensure that all Laboratory Services are aligned in terms of quality, productivity, policies, procedures, and practices.
* Actively engage with research laboratory quality management system, including standard operating procedures, policies, method work instructions, quality / change notices and CAPAs.
* Ensure the research laboratory and equipment are maintained to the correct standard, by performing routine audits of laboratory forms and verifying calibration (including preventative maintenance schedule).
* Employ strong communication skills to update internal stakeholders including account managers, sales, project managers and directors, on project data, laboratory progress and outline risks, issues, and limitations
* Write and review scientific project and laboratory reports on data, statistical analysis, conclusions based on scientific principles and literature and present clear and concise conclusions with future work.
About you
* Educated to at least a MSc in a relevant technical university, ideally paper or packaging related, with at least 5+ years’ experience within a professional laboratory (CRO/R&D/NPD) and at least 3 years’ experience in working in food contact materials.
* Project management experience utilising agile methods
* Advanced understanding of analytical techniques including HPLC, GC, FTIR, TGA, DSC, ICP/LC-MS, as well as proven experience in new analytical method development
* Fundamental understanding of paper, corrugate production & laboratory testing methods for material evaluation.
* Understanding of troubleshooting methods including root cause analysis, multi-variable analysis, and some statistical methods.
* Demonstrate experience in conducting experiments, data analysis, conclusions and new product development / research and development.
* Working knowledge of ISO laboratory standards / certifications (9001 & 17025)
* Experience in laboratory information management system (LIMS) and contribution to quality management system(s) including writing standard operating procedures, method work instructions and risk assessments.
* Competence with Health & Safety practices and procedures including supporting risk assessments, safe systems of work & COSHH assessments within an R&D scientific role (ideally working with chemicals, solvents, dyes for 3+ year).
Benefits
* Competitive salary
* Group annual bonus
* 30 days holiday plus bank holidays
* Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Employee Discounts
* Cycle to work scheme
About us
DS Smith are a leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions, paper products and recycling services in more than 30 different countries. It’s a very exciting time to join, as we have committed to investing in our future across our strategic growth enablers within Innovation (R&D), Sustainability and Digital & Data.
To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.
Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.
Salary: Competitive salary