Product Safety Lab Manager

About the role

DS Smith is looking for a Product Safety Laboratory Manager to lead its new Product Safety laboratory in Valencia, Spain, an onsite position. The role provides analytical chemistry testing and technical expertise for R&D, strategic innovation projects and major business initiatives. It combines hands-on technical leadership with management: leading a team, running the lab as a well-governed operation and owning its budget and performance. The manager also acts as the technical face of the laboratory for customers and internal stakeholders, presenting results and explaining technical findings in commercial terms.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the laboratory and team, managing daily operations, workflows and resource allocation
• Serve as the primary technical contact for customers, presenting results and giving commercially relevant recommendations
• Represent the laboratory during customer visits, audits and technical reviews
• Support R&D projects through experimental design, testing, data interpretation and technical reporting
• Manage the laboratory budget, purchasing, inventory and cost control
• Drive continuous improvement of laboratory methods, processes and equipment
• Maintain knowledge of food contact regulations and testing methodologies
• Collaborate with R&D teams to ensure consistent quality, productivity and best practices
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, quality and maintenance standards
• Prepare and review scientific reports while maintaining confidentiality

Required profile

• MSc (or equivalent) in Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Food Chemistry, Materials Chemistry or a related discipline; a PhD is advantageous
• Previous experience using analytical instrumentation in an industrial, R&D, testing or CRO environment
• Experience assessing food contact materials and regulatory compliance
• Proven ability to analyse data, solve technical problems and communicate to technical and non-technical audiences
• Experience managing projects, laboratory operations, quality systems and regulatory compliance
• Very good written and spoken Spanish and English (B2/C1)
• Occasional travel within the UK and Europe to support R&D trials and business activities

Required skills

• Strong practical experience with HPLC, GC, ICP, method development, validation and troubleshooting
• Understanding of food contact regulations and packaging materials, especially paper, board and cellulose-based products
• Previous experience with paper, board or packaging materials is an advantage