Job Description:
Head of Diagnostics, Feed & Food
The Company
FBA Laboratories Limited has operated from its current location since 2003 but it's laboratories were set up in 1996. They are located in a purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility in Cappoquin, Co. Waterford, in the heart of the Irish countryside. The company provides analytical services to agribusiness, agricultural advisers, farmers, and veterinary practitioners and the food industry.
Materials analysed include feedstuffs, grass, silage, food, milk, blood, water, soils, fertilisers, and industrial by-products.
The company is accredited to ISO17025 for pH, lime requirement, phosphorus, potassium, and organic matter in soils, as well as broad range of chemistry analyses which utilises techniques including FIA, HPLC, IC, LC-MS/MS, ICP-MS, Photometry. FBA Laboratories is on the EPA-approved laboratory list for water analysis. FBA is also listed as an approved laboratory for the Animal Health BVD Eradication Scheme.
In addition, the team regularly undertakes commissioned ad-hoc research and investigative projects sponsored by government agencies, academic institutions, and agricultural supply companies.
Role Overview
We are seeking a Head of Diagnostics, Feed & Food to join our dedicated team. The successful candidate will be a key member of the laboratory management team and will serve as the accountable process owner for planning and operational activities within their functional area.
The Head of Diagnostics, Feed & Food will be responsible for results-driven business process optimisation ensuring operations delivery excellence, managing cross-functional teams, and driving growth and profitability across all operational areas. They will be responsible for the effective day‑to‑day operation of the laboratory function, ensuring safe, efficient and reliable delivery of services in line with business and customer needs.
Key Responsibilities
* Own and manage the end-to-end laboratory workflow to ensure efficient sample throughput, on time delivery and agreed service levels.
* Design, implement and continuously improve laboratory processes, SOPs and ways of working to increase efficiency, reduce waste and minimise turnaround time.
* Plan and manage capacity, including headcount, shift patterns and equipment utilisation, to meet changing workload and business priorities.
* Monitor operational KPIs (e.g. TAT, backlog, rework rate, instrument uptime) and lead corrective actions when performance deviates from targets.
* Lead daily / weekly operations huddles, coordinate task allocation and remove day to day blockers for the team.
* Coordinate with Technical Manager and Quality and Operations Manager to ensure new or updated methods are embedded into routine operations in a controlled, efficient manner.
* Own the operations budget for the function and optimise spend on consumables, reagents and maintenance in line with demand.
* Drive a culture of continuous improvement, using lean / Six Sigma or similar tools to streamline processes and standardise best practice.
* Provide leadership and guidance to support cross-functional objectives.
* Liaise with clients, external partners, vendors, regulatory bodies, and subcontractors
* Own and manage technical risk assessment processes, including identification, evaluation, and mitigation of risks.
Skills, Qualifications & Experience
* Exceptional leadership, organisational, and strategic thinking skills.
* Strong commercial acumen and ability to manage costs, forecasts, and operational risk.
* Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities.
* IT skills including familiarity with management information systems (LIMS), project management tools, and lean methodologies
* Proven experience in an operations focused role within a laboratory or similar regulated environment.
* Strong track record in capacity planning, scheduling and workflow management.
* Demonstrated experience in process improvement and implementing more efficient ways of working.
* Data driven decision making, comfortable using KPIs and dashboards to steer performance.
* Minimum BSc. in a relevant scientific discipline.
* Significant experience in a laboratory environment, ideally within an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited setting.
* Proven track record in laboratory or technical management, with exposure to multi-functional operations.
* Experience in operations leadership and a senior role within a laboratory environment.
* Proven experience managing teams within an accredited laboratory
* Demonstrable experience in people management, resource planning, and cross-functional leadership.
* Strong knowledge of quality systems, laboratory QA and QC practices and standards.
* Skilled in identifying and resolving complex technical and operational issues.
* Ability to make sound decisions under pressure and adapt to changing business needs.
* Strong planning and organisational skills, with attention to detail.
* Strong knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and laboratory accreditation requirements.
* Broad technical understanding across multiple laboratory functions.
* Experience in risk management, quality management, and process improvement.
* Proactive, resilient, and adaptable to seasonal variations in workload.
* Strong commercial awareness and client focus.
* Committed to quality, innovation, and continuous improvement.
* Collaborative and team-oriented, with integrity and professionalism.
Job details
* Contract Type: Permanent
* Working Hours: Full-time
* Schedule: Predominantly Monday to Friday, with occasional 5-out-of-7-day rosters during peak seasonal periods (typically 5-6 times per year)
* Shifts: Variable, driven by seasonal demand
* Salary: Competitive – will be advised at the interview
* Location: Cappoquin, Co. Waterford (in-person)
Benefits:
* Bike to work scheme
* Employee assistance program
* On-site parking
* Sick pay
Application deadline: 16 January 2025
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
* Bike to work scheme
* On-site parking
* Sick pay
Application question(s):
* Do you have IT Skills including familiarity with LIMS?
* Do you have a strong knowledge of quality management systems, laboratory QA and QC practices and standards, ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and laboratory accreditation requirements?
* Do you have a proven experience in managing teams within an accredited laboratory
Education:
* Bachelor's (preferred)
Experience:
* operations leadership: 5 years (preferred)
* laboratory environment, ideally within an ISO/IEC 17025 : 5 years (preferred)
* Process improvement: 2 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person