Head of Chemistry - 12 Month FTC in Kettering)

Head of Chemistry - 12 Month FTC

Location: Kettering, Northamptonshire

Salary: DOE

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract

A leading technical testing and consultancy organisation is looking for an experienced Head of Chemistry to join its team on a 12-month maternity cover contract.

This is a senior leadership role overseeing a well-established Chemistry department of around 20 technical and laboratory-based staff. The successful candidate will combine strong people leadership with a commercial mindset, helping to develop the department, improve its structure and processes, and identify opportunities for business growth.

The Role

As Head of Chemistry, you will take overall responsibility for the Chemistry department, providing leadership across laboratory management, technical operations and business development.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading, motivating and developing a team of approximately 20 technical and laboratory staff
• Reviewing and developing the departmental structure to support future growth
• Identifying and developing new business opportunities to maintain and increase market share
• Contributing to sales, marketing and business development strategies
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with customers, members and industry contacts
• Representing the organisation at external meetings, industry events and with senior stakeholders
• Ensuring the department maintains an appropriate UKAS accreditation scope
• Supporting extensions to the department's technical scope where required
• Maintaining high standards across quality management systems and documentation
• Ensuring health & safety requirements are met
• Developing a culture of continuous improvement and operational efficiency
• Providing technical support and guidance to customers and members
• Working closely with international teams and supporting overseas operations

About You

We're looking for an experienced chemistry or laboratory professional who combines technical credibility with strong leadership and commercial awareness.

You will ideally have:

• Proven experience leading and motivating a technical, laboratory or scientific team
• Experience of business development and growing commercial opportunities
• Experience working within budgetary requirements
• A strong understanding of the industries and markets served by testing, technical or scientific organisations
• The confidence to communicate with senior stakeholders both in the UK and internationally
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• A strategic and commercially minded approach
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• The ability to delegate effectively and develop people
• A proactive, approachable and diplomatic management style
• The ability and willingness to travel when required
• A formal leadership qualification would be advantageous, as would previous international travel or experience.

What's on Offer?

• 12-month fixed-term contract
• 37.5 hours per week
• Salary dependent on experience
• 25-28 days' annual leave, depending on service
• Life assurance
• Group personal pension scheme
• Income protection
• Free on-site parking

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