Laboratory Manager

ROXEL (UK ROCKET MOTORS) LIMITED

Roxel is an Anglo-French Company that designs, develops and manufactures a range of solid propellant rocket motors for use in tactical missiles. Its operations are spread across several sites in the UK and France and it has an annual turnover of about £150M and nearly 700 staff. The UK operations are entirely based at Summerfield, Kidderminster

OVERVIEW & SCOPE OF ROLE

A vacancy has arisen for a Laboratory Manager within the Test and Evaluation Department at Roxel UK. This role is responsible for managing laboratory operations and services within the business. The laboratory handles a variety of materials used in the production of solid rocket motors, including metals, polymers (resins, plastics, rubbers, adhesives, paints), composites, pyrotechnics, and propellants. Some materials are procured from suppliers and require application-specific tests, while others are manufactured on-site and necessitate testing of raw, intermediate, and finished materials.

The testing encompasses a wide range of standard laboratory tests, including physical tests (e.g. calorimetric value), chemical tests (e.g. moisture content), mechanical tests (e.g. tensile strength), stability tests (e.g. mass loss), and compatibility tests (e.g. differential scanning calorimetry). Additionally, industry-specific tests such as hazard tests (e.g. small-scale sensitiveness) and ballistic tests (e.g. propellant burning rate) are conducted.

The laboratory is equipped with several well-equipped facilities and skilled technicians who perform all required tests. The laboratory team works closely with other teams to analyse test results, develop new materials, and investigate manufacturing issues.

The Laboratory Manager plays a pivotal role in ensuring the laboratory operates efficiently and effectively, contributing to the overall success of the Test & Evaluation department and the Engineering Team. This position involves strategic oversight, technical management, and collaboration with various stakeholders to meet the organisation’s objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & REPONSIBILITIES

• Strategy and Development
• Develop the strategic vision for the laboratories.
• Improve test methods to increase accuracy and reduce costs.
• Develop new test methods to meet future requirements.
• Technical Responsibilities
• Provide a laboratory test service to internal and external customers.
• Ensure tests are conducted to agreed quality and safety standards.
• Monitor, investigate, and solve test problems.
• Maintain laboratory quality procedures and test methods.
• People Management
• Educate and train laboratory scientists in practices and test methods.
• Manage laboratory team metrics and performance.
• Financial Control
• Provide cost and timescale estimates for all laboratory tests.
• Ensure tests are conducted within agreed budgets and timescales.
• Relationship Management
• Promote laboratory capabilities and foster collaboration with other teams.
• Collaborate with external partners for specialist tests.

EXPERIENCE & BACKGROUND

Qualifications:

• Degree in Chemistry or another science-based degree.
• Previous management experience, ideally in Laboratory Management.

Experience:

Essential Experience

• Supervision or management of people.
• Familiarity with recognised laboratory standards and practices.
• Interest and aptitude in laboratory testing and science.
• Experience in the development of automotive, aerospace, or defence products.
• Awareness of different test methods and data analysis techniques.
• Strong communication skills for interacting with technical and non-technical personnel.
• Proven ability to train technicians in laboratory practices and test methods.
• Track record of meeting customer expectations.
• Proficiency in general office software.

Desirable Experience

• Knowledge of test specifications and standards (e.g., STANAG 4147).
• Experience in various testing methods:
• Physical testing (e.g. calorimetric value, density, viscosity).
• Chemical testing (e.g. moisture, molecular weight, composition).
• Mechanical testing (e.g. tensile strength, dynamic modulus).
• Stability (e.g. mass loss, vacuum stability, self-heating).
• Compatibility (e.g. differential scanning calorimetry, stabiliser consumption).
• Hazard testing (e.g. ignition temperature, impact, friction, electric spark).
• Ballistic testing (e.g. propellant burning rate, characteristic velocity).
• Familiarity with databases and statistical analysis techniques.

Person Specification

• Team Working: Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills to convey technical information clearly.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to testing and quality assurance to ensure accuracy and compliance with standards.
• Problem-Solving: Proactive in identifying issues and implementing effective solutions.
• Leadership: Ability to inspire and guide a team towards achieving departmental goals.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Ad Hoc Hybrid Working
• Pension Contributions up to 8% (Employer)
• Company Sick Pay
• Management Bonus
• 25 days holiday + 1 day every 5 years (max 3 days)
• Healthshield (Health cash back plan)
• Perkbox (shopping/restaurants etc discounts)
• Professional Membership
• Corporate Clothing