Laboratory Supervisor

Who are we?

Argent Energy is a leading European biodiesel producer, backed by Swire, with a mission to decarbonise transport through the use of waste-based feedstocks. We are committed to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence.

Our laboratories play a critical role in ensuring product quality, regulatory compliance, and delivering on our customer requirements.

Purpose of the job:

The Laboratory Supervisor is responsible for leading the laboratory team and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, compliant, and cost-effective laboratory services in support of Argent Energy’s biofuel operations. The role focuses on people leadership, operational performance, quality governance, and continuous improvement.

What you will be doing:

• Lead, coach, and develop the laboratory team to achieve high performance and engagement.

• Manage workload planning, priorities, and resource allocation.

• Provide technical leadership in method development, validation, and process optimisation in line with laboratory and business requirements

• Carry out internal audits and support external audits.

• Lead laboratory non-conformance investigations, including root cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventive actions

• Oversee supplier performance, external testing providers, and service level agreements (SLAs).

• Demonstrate commercial awareness by considering cost, efficiency, and resource optimization.

• Approve purchase orders (POs) in line with company procedures.

Your key relationships will be:

• Laboratory Team (Internal): Responsible for leading, coaching, and developing team members to ensure high performance, compliance, and effective delivery of laboratory services.

• UK Laboratory Manager (Internal): Maintain close communication regarding laboratory performance, quality, resource requirements, and strategic objectives, while deputising when required.

• Operations/Production Team (Internal): Collaborate to provide analytical support, resolve quality issues, and ensure laboratory outputs support operational efficiency and product quality.

• External Suppliers and Testing Providers (External): Manage relationships to ensure timely delivery of services, compliance with agreed standards, and effective management of service level agreements and external testing requirements

Skills and behaviours your will need to be successful:

• Strong leadership, coaching, and people management skills with the ability to develop high-performing teams - Essential

• Proven ability to manage laboratory operations, workloads, priorities, and resource allocation effectively - Essential

• Experience in deputising for senior management and supporting operational decision-making - Desirable

• Experience working within ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory environments - Essential

• Knowledge of biodiesel standards (EN 14214, ASTM D6751 or equivalent) - Desirable

• Experience with analytical techniques such as GC, KF titration, density, viscosity, flash point and other fuel testing methods - Desirable

• Excellent knowledge of laboratory quality systems, regulatory compliance, and audit requirements - Essential

• Demonstrated experience in method development, validation, and process optimization particularly in GC instrumentation - Essential

• Experience conducting root cause analysis, laboratory investigations, and implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) - Desirable

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail - Essential

• Effective stakeholder management and communication skills, both internal and external - Essential

• Experience managing suppliers, external laboratories, and service level agreements (SLAs) - Desirable

• Commercial awareness with the ability to identify cost-saving and efficiency opportunities - Desirable

• Excellent understanding of health, safety, and quality standards within a laboratory environment - Essential

• Qualifications and experience required:

• HNC/Degree in related field or minimum 3 years’ experience in a leadership role in a commercial/industrial laboratory

• Experience in the biofuels, chemical, or petrochemical sectors (Desirable).

What’s on offer:

• 33 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays.

• Medicash

• Enhanced Company Sick Pay

• Cycle to work scheme

• Employee Assistance Program

• Enhanced Company pension scheme

• Life Assurance

• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Pay