Job Description:

The Manager Laboratory Support provides leadership and direction to a multidisciplinary team to ensure the delivery of high-quality, reliable support services to both the laboratory and its customers. This role is responsible for managing and developing a team consisting of Technical Support, Sample Reception, Sample Preparation, and Customer Support.

By coordinating daily activities and aligning support functions with the needs of the Operational Laboratory, the Laboratory Support Manager plays a key role in enabling the lab to deliver seamless, accurate, and customer-oriented analytical services.

Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary support team.
• Set clear performance expectations and support ongoing training and professional development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Operational Oversight

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of Sample Reception, Sample Preparation, Technical Support, and Customer Support functions.
• Ensure workflows are efficient, standardized, and aligned with laboratory needs.
• Maintain optimal resource planning and scheduling to meet fluctuating workloads.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Serve as a key liaison between Laboratory Support and the Operational Laboratory.
• Collaborate closely with lab analysts and department leads to anticipate support needs and resolve operational challenges.
• Ensure that support services enable timely and effective analysis.

Quality, Compliance and Safety

• Implement and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) across all support areas.
• Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with internal quality systems and relevant regulatory standards (e.g., GLP, ISO).
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure adherence to safety protocols.

Service Excellence & Customer Focus

• Monitor and improve service delivery to internal (and external) customers.
• Handle escalations and ensure high responsiveness to customer inquiries and operational issues.
• Gather feedback and drive initiatives to enhance customer experience.

Process Improvement & Innovation

• Identify opportunities for process optimization, automation, and standardization.
• Lead or contribute to projects aimed at increasing efficiency, accuracy, or service quality.
• Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for support services.

Logistics & Resource Coordination

• Ensure timely and accurate reception, logging, and tracking of samples.
• Oversee inventory and supply management related to support operations.
• Coordinate technical maintenance and troubleshooting to minimize lab downtime.

Organizational context

The Laboratory Support Manager reports directly to the Laboratory Manager. This position leads the Laboratory Support team and works in close collaboration with the Operational Lab Managers, Laboratory Analysts, and Quality Assurance personnel to ensure the Operational Laboratory functions efficiently and effectively.

The Laboratory Support Manager acts as the key interface between the support functions (Technical Support, Sample Reception, Sample Preparation, Customer Support) and the core analytical teams. While the role does not typically perform analytical testing, it is essential in enabling the analytical teams to meet quality, throughput, and customer satisfaction targets by ensuring that all support services are delivered seamlessly.

In addition to managing internal support functions, the Laboratory Support Manager acts as a primary interface between the Operational Laboratory and (internal) customers.

The Laboratory Support Manager is a member of the Laboratory Management Team. In this setting, the role contributes to strategic planning, continuous improvement initiatives, and cross-functional decision-making that supports the overall performance and quality of the laboratory.

Requirements

• Strong focus on customer service, with the ability to manage internal customer relationships and meet service delivery expectations.
• Higher Laboratory education within analytical chemistry, biological chemistry, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in laboratory operations or support roles, with a minimum of 2 years in a leadership or management position.
• Proven experience in managing cross-functional teams, ideally in laboratory support or service environments.
• Experience in laboratory workflows, sample handling, or technical support, with a solid understanding of laboratory operations.
• Accurate and systematic
• Good technical- and computer skills
• Proficient in using LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems) or other laboratory software tools, along with standard office software (e.g., MS Office Suite).
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize work effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good communication skills, both in Dutch and English
• Good cooperation skills
• Proactive and self-driven.

Our organisation:
Nutreco is a global leader in animal nutrition and fish feed. Our advanced nutritional solutions are at the origin of food for millions of consumers worldwide. Quality, innovation and sustainability are guiding principles, embedded in the Nutreco culture from research and raw material procurement to products and services for agriculture and aquaculture. Experience across 100 years brings Nutreco a rich heritage of knowledge and experience for building its future.

Equal Opportunity Employer: 

Nutreco is an equal opportunity employer; applicants are considered for all roles without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital, parental, military status or any other status protected by applicable local law. Please advise us at any point during the recruitment and selection process if you require accommodation. Nutreco is committed to compliance with all applicable legislation, including providing accommodation for applicants with disabilities.