Join us as a Team Leader and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity!

As a Team Leader you will be managing team members performance within the veterinary medicine’s residues testing area. You will be responsible for the day to day running of the laboratories, ensuring sample extractions are completed to deadline and for the input of each team member into appropriate projects.  The Team Leader is responsible for the timely delivery of functional staff management, including monthly one to ones, attendance monitoring, disciplinary & grievance processes, staff development, progression & retention, performance review and ensuring knowledge/experience is widespread throughout the team. The role will also be expected to undertake laboratory duties to support delivery and project management as appropriate.

What you’ll be doing:

• Schedule and plan own and team’s work effectively to achieve optimum delivery, efficiency and to avoid shortages/surpluses in resource.
• Ensure relevant legislative, H&S and accreditation requirements and SOPs are upheld.
• Day to day management of each team member, being the first point of call for any issues they may have.
• Proactive identification of performance issues and providing necessary feedback and coaching, alongside annual performance reviews and holding monthly one to one sessions to discuss performance, issues and progress.
• Identifying process issues to continually improve business processes, including continuous improvement for self and team.
• Adhering to the Fera absence management guidelines, policies and procedures.
• Managing and prioritising team members’ workload and results, ensuring results are delivered on time and at the appropriate level of quality.
• Acting as laboratory manager/custodian, including maintenance, use and condition of equipment. Also perform laboratory work/duties as required to support on-going delivery and business priorities.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience working as an analytical chemist or in a similar laboratory-based role, e.g. wet chemistry, sample extraction etc.
• Laboratory management/leadership experience would be a distinct advantage, e.g. experience in coordination of H&S and quality initiatives.
• Line management of staff critical or strong desire with leadership experience.
• Proven ability to interpret and analyse performance data and reports to enhance the effectiveness of the team.
• Effective organisational skills, ability to work on multiple tasks/projects in tandem and prioritise to meet customer deadlines.
• Demonstrate good meeting discipline, time management and planning.
• Experience of operating within a quality system (e.g. ISO/GLP etc.).
• Assertive, challenging and resilient to setbacks.
• Confident and effective communicator.

What’s in it for you?

• ​23 days’ holiday (rising to 27) with the opportunity to buy extra leave.
• Flexible working hours, on-site gym, restaurant, and free parking
• The opportunity to take a paid day out of the office, volunteering for our charity partners or a cause of your choice
• Company matched pension, life assurance, a cycle2work scheme, 15 weeks’ fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, paternity pay of two weeks…and plenty more.
• Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle – from discounts on retail and socialising, to health & wellbeing, travel and technology
• Access to our Employee Network Groups, which represent every strand of diversity and allow colleagues to connect and learn from each other on an open, inclusive platform
• Fera operates a LTIP ( Long Term Incentive Plan) under which all employees are awarded points towards shares in the Employee Benefits Trust on an annual basis. The Employee Benefits Trust holds shares on behalf of our employee, at the point of an equity event the shares will realise a cash value.

What we hope you’ll do next:

Choose ‘Apply now’ to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you. If you have any questions you’d like to ask before applying, you can contact

We’re an equal opportunity employer, which means we recruit and develop people based on their merit and passion. We’re committed to providing an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process and working environment for everyone. If you need the job description or application form in an alternative format or if you’d like to discuss other changes or support you might need going forward, please email at and we’ll get back to you.