Job Description

Blue Arrow is urgently recruiting for A Senior Lab Technician to join our clients growing team based in the Swansea area working for a manufacturing company.

Contract: Permanent

Salary: 35- 38,000 pa Depending on experience

Hours of work: DAYS 40 hrs per week

The Senior Laboratory Technician is responsible for delivering high-quality laboratory services across all divisions of the business. Working closely with the RDS Manager, the Senior Laboratory Technician will support product development, customer investigations, manufacturing quality, laboratory improvements and continuous business development initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

Laboratory Analysis

• Lead the day-to-day operation of laboratory testing activities.
• Receive, prioritise and allocate incoming laboratory samples.
• Perform complex chemical and physical analysis of heat transfer fluids, glycols, water samples and associated chemical products.
• Undertake testing including, but not limited to: pH, Reserve Alkalinity, Glycol Concentration, Freeze Point, Conductivity, Chloride Analysis, Nitrite and Inhibitor Levels, Corrosion Indicator Analysis, Visual Contamination Assessment, Suspended Solids, Water Quality Analysis, Product Performance Testing, Investigation of customer failures, Other analytical testing as required.
• Review, verify and authorise laboratory results prior to issue.
• Identify trends, anomalies and potential product performance concerns.
• Escalate significant technical findings to the RDS Manager where appropriate.

Fluid Maintenance Programme (FMP)

• Manage the laboratory aspects of the Fluid Maintenance Programme.
• Ensure customer FMP samples are tested within agreed service levels.
• Review and approve laboratory findings.
• Prepare detailed FMP reports for issue to customers.
• Provide technical recommendations based upon laboratory findings.
• Support Field Engineers and Technical Sales with interpretation of results.
• Assist in the development and continuous improvement of FMP reporting.

Fluid Management Services (FMS)

• Oversee laboratory testing associated with Fluid Management Services.
• Ensure customer turnaround times are consistently achieved.
• Review historical trends to support preventative maintenance recommendations.
• Ensure customer laboratory records remain accurate and fully traceable.

Technical Support- Provide technical laboratory expertise to: Heat Services Division, Technical Sales Team, Customer Service, Production, Manufacturing, Engineering, Research & Development, Procurement, Senior Management

Including:

• Investigation of customer fluid failures.
• Root cause analysis.
• Product performance investigations.
• Interpretation of laboratory results.
• Preparation of technical reports.
• Supporting customer visits where laboratory expertise is required.
• Providing technical guidance to colleagues and customers.

Laboratory Leadership

• Provide day-to-day supervision and technical support to Junior Laboratory Technicians.
• Assist with induction and training of new laboratory personnel.
• Coach and mentor junior members of the laboratory team.
• Promote good laboratory practice throughout the department.
• Support workload planning and prioritisation.
• Deputise for the RDS Manager where appropriate.

Customer Sample Management

• Manage the receipt, logging and tracking of customer samples from: Field Engineer, Sales Teams, Direct Customer Submissions, Production, Internal Departments.
• Ensure complete sample traceability.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders where further technical information is required.

Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with all laboratories Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Maintain laboratory documentation in accordance with ISO quality standards.
• Review laboratory procedures and recommend improvements.
• Participate in internal and external quality audits.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure testing meets company and customer quality standards.
• Verify laboratory data before release.

Stock Control

• Manage laboratory consumables and chemical inventories.
• Forecast laboratory stock requirements.
• Liaise with approved suppliers.
• Ensure chemicals are correctly labelled and stored in accordance with COSHH requirements.
• Minimise waste and maintain cost-effective stock levels.
• Laboratory housekeeping

Required Skills:

Essential

• Minimum 5 years' laboratory experience, preferably within the chemical manufacturing, glycol, heat transfer fluid, water treatment or industrial process industries.
• GCSE (or equivalent) in Mathematics, English and Science.
• Excellent understanding of laboratory analytical techniques.
• Strong knowledge of chemical testing procedures.
• Excellent attention to detail & strong organisational and planning skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Competent in Microsoft Office and laboratory data systems.
• Ability to interpret analytical data and prepare technical reports.
• Ability to prioritise multiple workloads effectively.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent record-keeping and documentation skills.
• Ability to supervise and mentor junior staff.
• Flexibility & capability to travel is an essential component for this position.

Desirable

• HNC/HND, Degree or equivalent qualification in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related scientific discipline.
• Knowledge of corrosion chemistry and inhibitor technologies.
• Understanding of ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
• Internal auditor experience would be advantageous.

If you feel you have the right experience for the above role, please submit your CV for immediate response.

Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.