Jobs in Barham

Reporting directly to the COO, you will hold full site leadership responsibility for this Dover-based laboratory, overseeing all operations, people management, quality, safety, and commercial performance.
This is a rare opportunity to lead a highly respected laboratory team with a heritage spanning nearly 30 years. The site has built an outstanding reputation supporting global clients in medical device and combination product testing, helping bring innovative medical products to market safely and compliantly.
More recently, the laboratory became one of the founding businesses within a wider specialist laboratory group, creating an exciting new chapter of investment, collaboration and shared expertise. For the right leader, this role offers the chance to shape the future of an already successful site while helping unlock the opportunities that come from being part of something bigger.
The Role
You’ll lead a knowledgeable, welcoming and highly committed team, driving day to day lab operations. You will work collaboratively with senior leaders and peer sites across the group to shape long-term strategy, growth, and capability.
This is a senior leadership role with accountability for site operations, P&L, team performance, safety, quality, client relationships, and continuous improvement. You will ensure the site delivers excellent scientific and operational outcomes, meets regulatory and client expectations, and remains positioned for future growth.
Key responsibilities include:
* Leading site operations to deliver exceptional quality and client service
* Driving KPI performance, capacity, utilisation and on-time delivery
* Owning budgets, P&L, forecasting and cost control
* Lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams and managers
* Partnering with commercial teams on growth opportunities and new services
* Strengthening collaboration across the wider laboratory group
* Ensure a continued focus on quality, compliance, data integrity and safety
* Lead audit readiness, inspections, deviation management, and continuous improvement actions
* Identifying strategic investments, innovation and process improvements
* Provide clear reporting and strategic updates to the Senior Leadership Team
About You
You will bring significant leadership experience from a regulated scientific laboratory (CRO, pharmaceutical, medical device etc), with proven success leading multi-disciplinary teams. Key requirements include:
* Strong operational and strategic leadership capability
* Strong commercial and financial ownership, including P&L responsibility
* Deep understanding of laboratory quality and compliance frameworks
* Excellent stakeholder, client, and communication skills
* A track record of driving performance, growth, and continuous improvement
* Scientific or technical credibility with degree-level qualifications (or equivalent experience)
* A collaborative leadership style that ‘brings people with you’
This is an ideal role for someone who enjoys balancing people, science, operations and strategy. Apply now to learn more about this unique opportunity