Laboratory Project and Change Manager

About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people’s health. We’re always looking towards the future, anticipating changes in medical science and technology.

Abbott Toxicology

Abbott Toxicology is part of Abbott’s Rapid Diagnostics family of businesses. This role offers an opportunity to work for the UK’s leading drug and alcohol testing provider.

The Opportunity

The position of Laboratory Project and Change Manager is a full‑time, permanent position within our busy Laboratory Operations Department providing analytical toxicology services to numerous sectors, including law enforcement, maritime, drug treatment, and workplace drug testing.

What you’ll do

You will be responsible for delivering critical scientific and operational projects within the toxicology laboratory and an ongoing program of change. This is a vital role in delivering business transformation through in‑depth understanding of our analytical processes and successful project management. You will bridge scientific expertise with structured project management and will require liaison with quality and commercial colleagues.

This role is based on site at Abingdon

Responsibilities

• Maintain a strategic view on all live / pipeline laboratory projects and change initiatives, ensuring alignment with business objectives and operational priorities.
• Maintain an up‑to‑date technical knowledge of toxicology and current analytical techniques and processes within screening, confirmation, data and result reporting.
• Take ownership of laboratory change initiatives and drive end‑to‑end delivery via internal governance and change controls within the Quality Management System and Process Improvement Logs.
• Identify opportunities to improve laboratory workflows and operational efficiency through innovative thinking and the employment of Continuous Improvement methodologies and supportive frameworks (Lean, Six Sigma, automation, digitisation) to deliver an ongoing program of change.
• Lead, plan, execute and deliver laboratory scientific and operational projects:
• Produce project documentation in line with Toxicology portfolio requirements.
• Define business case, scope and expected benefits.
• Develop detailed project plans, timelines, schedules and tolerances, ensure adherence and be accountable for delivering within deadlines.
• Identify and proactively manage risks, issues and dependencies.
• Manage resource allocations and budget where appropriate.
• Track progress against milestones. Provide regular, transparent updates on progress, risks, and outcomes to the Laboratory Operations Director.

Ensure engagement with teams across the business to manage stakeholder expectations, identify and understand dependencies, and ensure joined up commercial and operational delivery.

Develop and deliver clear communication plans to support change adoption across the laboratory and business.

Ensure changes deliver measurable improvements in performance, quality, or cost efficiencies. Quantify, track and report on benefits realized.

Ensure effective implementation of change and transition from project into business‑as‑usual operations.

Complete post implementation reviews of projects and change initiatives to ensure successful delivery has been achieved. Identify and capture lessons learned best practices for future change initiatives.

Work closely with the Laboratory Operations Manager and Head of Scientific Services with change requirements required to meet departmental business objectives.

What you will have

• BSc Science degree in Analytical Chemistry, Toxicology, Pharmacology or related discipline, or equivalent laboratory experience.
• Proven experience in project management, leading and implementing change initiatives to completion.
• Experience working in a highly regulated environment, in accordance with documented Standard Operating Procedures and ISO 9001 and 17025 accreditations.
• IT literate with strong experience in Project, Word, Excel & Outlook.

Preferred: -

• Lean practitioner or Six Sigma Belt
• Advanced degrees or certifications (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2)
• Laboratory experience in analysis of drugs in biological samples using immunoassay screening and LCMS/MS
• Experience with LIMS or digital transformation

Experience and Competencies

• Proven experience in change management, project management, or operational transformation within a highly regulated environment.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities and ability to interpret complex business needs and translate into operational requirements.
• Excellent understanding of continuous improvement concepts including Lean, Six Sigma, value stream mapping, 5S, Gemba and Kaizen.
• A ‘completer‑finisher’ taking accountability for ideas from inception to delivery, in a highly regulated environment that requires robust metrics to confirm success.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of partners, senior managers and subject‑matter experts.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and priorities simultaneously in line with business needs.

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