Job Description

Are You Ready to Make an Impact at RSSL? 

Join Our Mission to Transform Lives Through Science, Innovation and Collaboration 
 

At Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL), we lead the way in scientific analysis, research, consultancy, and training. We provide services to the food, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries, as well as our parent company, Mondelez International. RSSL is dedicated to delivering world-class scientific solutions and outstanding customer service.  
 

Recognised for our excellence, we were awarded CRO of the Year at the 2023 OBN Awards, adding to our previous accolades Employer of the Year, Enlightened Employer and Women in Business. 
 

If you are passionate about driving innovation and making a real impact, RSSL is the place for you! 

Purpose:

The Team Leader supports the Laboratory Manager and / or Senior Team Leader to ensure achievement of accountabilities by selection, direction, motivation and management of staff within the Wet Chemistry department and by providing technical direction with support of the technical specialists. The role holder will play a key role in ensuring that routine and complex pharmaceutical projects are performed and supervised effectively and accurately within agreed timescales and to GMP quality standards. This Team Leader role focuses on managing up to eight junior analytical chemists to deliver projects safely, on time, on budget and to high quality standards. It also involves executing benchwork (where required), supporting client management and data checking for routine & verification analyses of pharmaceutical raw materials using wet chemistry techniques in accordance with pharmacopoeial requirements or client methods. 

The individual in this position has demonstrated sufficient necessary technical chemistry knowledge and business awareness in a client facing role – delivering projects on time and within budget. Additionally, the individual has an appropriate level of people management skills to influence, lead and motivate a talented group of scientists comprising of different capabilities.  

Primary Accountabilities / Responsibilities :

Technical  

Provide high quality customer service at all times by ensuring effective organisation of assigned workload, integrity of analytical data generated and timely/accurate provision of results to GMP standards. 

Maintain a broad understanding of the methods / techniques performed by the wet chemistry team, demonstrating why and how to execute tasks. 

Understand the chemistry behind the tests in which they are trained and help with basic technical queries arising from these tests by other analysts, with support from the technical specialists. 

Collaborate with Commercial and relevant technical staff on enquiries and identify growth opportunities  

Meticulous attention to detail, well organized with strong team working ethos, ability to organise own work and others to maximise output. 

Perform a range of analyses using wet chemistry techniques independently and supervise junior staff in routine activities, methods and interpretation, liaising across departments as required. 

Perform maintenance and troubleshooting of lab equipment, if required. 

Design or review verification / validation protocols and write interpretive reports. Perform with an eye for detail and quality oversight data checking and review / authorise CoA on LIMS 

Proficient use of software packages as required for the role: Laboratory LIMS system, Q-Pulse and instrument specific software 

Will be expected to work in different laboratories if the demand is required. 

Communication & Influence 

 Work as part of an efficient analytical team 

Liase with clients, business development and line management to ensure effective communication of project proposals and results. 

Routinely liase with Senior Team Leader/Group Leader/Senior Group Leader/Technical specialists and Senior Associate Principal Scientist stakeholders 

Participate in client and stake holders meetings as required, providing expert advice as required 

Manage a large client portfolio or multiple smaller client portfolios and independently plan, lead & coordinate projects 

Deliver internal presentations across groups and to technical stakeholders 

Take responsibility for elements of specific department or business projects and/or specific areas of general laboratory/sample administration tasks as required. 

Leadership and supervision 

 Line management of between five and eight scientists, with adherence to all people management policies, setting of SMART objectives in line with company and department strategic priorities, establishment of development plans in line with individual growth needs and career aspirations, lead monthly 121’s and contribute to the bi-yearly calibration process for each direct report. 

Develop managerial skills needed to be an effective team leader & people manager. 

Ensure all staff are trained in departmental methods and techniques, be accountable for maintaining a compliant training programme. 

Plan / assign routine & complex projects to junior staff. 

QEHS 

Work to the highest standards of safety and quality by ensuring that appropriate COSHHs, risk assessments and SOPs are understood and followed and requirements of GMP are adhered to at all times.  

Complete assigned quality actions in a timely manner, including review and approval and quality investigations. 

Ensure delivery by self and direct reports to department KPIs on safety and quality. 

Write and approve SOPs and Test Methods 

Generate and review Risk Assessments and COSHH  

Maintain a clean, tidy and safe working environment. 

Ensure training records are accurate. 

Maintain a detailed understanding of the Quality Management System & provide technical & regulatory leadership in client audits 

Involved in investigations, may have initial client communication to alert to issue and may drive resolution 

Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Language Requirements:

Educated to Degree or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline or equivalent relevant experience in a laboratory. 

Excellent understanding of wet chemistry techniques and equipment 

Scientific understanding and ability to independently conduct chemical analysis 

Good knowledge of laboratory quality and accreditation systems (GMP) 

Accountable, honest, hardworking and able to work efficiently in a team 

Flexible and adaptable to meet customer/business requirements. Well organised and capable of working on multiple activities concurrently.

Meticulous attention to detail 

Good verbal and written skills with the ability to communicate with client’s and colleagues 

Self-motivated, enthusiastic and quick to learn. 

Able to organise own work and others to maximise output 

Computer literate in standard MS office applications 

Ability to problem solve and plan resources to maintain workflow in delivery of projects 

Ability to deliver projects/work within tight timescales and ability to motivate, mentor and line manage junior scientific staff. 

Technical credibility to develop good working relationships with internal and external clients. 

Extensive experience of working in wet chemistry area  

Experience of working for Or with, a CRO 

Analytical Project management 

English fluency (written and spoken) 

More about this role

In return for your commitment, drive and enthusiasm, we offer an attractive benefits package within a highly successful international business that offers financial rewards and resources, including:

Opportunities to learn and develop

Performance Related Bonus scheme

Contributory pension (between 8% to 11% employer contribution)

Life assurance

27 days holiday allowance (possibility to buy 5 extra days) + bank holidays

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

A flexible benefits programme (Gym discounts, private health insurance, restaurant discounts, etc)

No Relocation support availableBusiness Unit Summary

Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL) is a cutting-edge contract research organisation (CRO), providing research, analysis and consultancy to the food, consumer goods and life science sectors. Whether we are creating new products, validating medicines or solving investigations, we take pride in being a leader in our field, serving clients from across 70 countries. Enriched by our parent company, Mondelēz International, our team are committed to transforming lives through science, innovation and collaboration.

Curious about us and want to learn more?

Please explore:  Website   YouTube   LinkedIn   Glassdoor

RSSL is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

#RSSL

Job Type

Temporary (Fixed Term)

Analytical Science

Science & Engineering