Analytical Testing Lead (Chemistry)

Salary: £40,000 - £42,000 (possible negotiation)
Location: Shrewsbury
Type of work: Full-time, permanent, hybrid working – 50% office-based / 50% home-based

Are you an experienced analytical chemist with strong technical leadership skills and a background in regulated testing environments?

Our client is looking to appoint an Analytical Testing Lead to provide technical expertise across complex, analytically focused, chemistry-based testing projects. This is an excellent opportunity for a technically strong chemist who enjoys taking ownership of analytical work, supporting customers, reviewing data and helping shape high-quality scientific outputs.

The role would suit someone with substantial experience in analytical chemistry, ideally gained within a CRO, pharmaceutical, medical device or similarly regulated environment. You will need hands-on technical knowledge of techniques such as GC-MS or LC-MS/UV, experience of method development and validation, and the confidence to act as a subject matter expert across multi-stage analytical projects.

Job Description

As Analytical Testing Lead, your duties will include:

• Providing technical leadership across analytical testing projects for internal and external customers.
• Supporting the design and delivery of extractables and leachables studies, working closely with project teams and clients.
• Reviewing, processing, authorising and approving analytical data to ensure accuracy and technical quality.
• Designing and supporting complex analytical work using techniques such as LC-MS/UV, GC-MS, FTIR, ICP, UV, conductivity and pH, as appropriate.
• Preparing high-quality technical documents, including protocols, reports, proposals, study plans and customer communications.
• Interpreting customer requirements and contributing to project planning, budgets, timelines and technical strategy.
• Ensuring work is delivered on time, within agreed scope and to the required quality and regulatory standards.
• Supporting, coaching and sharing knowledge with colleagues across the chemistry team.
• Maintaining awareness of relevant scientific, regulatory and technical developments.
• Representing the business professionally in customer meetings, technical discussions and occasional industry events.

Person Specification

To be considered for this Analytical Testing Lead role, you will need:

• A degree in chemistry, science, engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Strong practical analytical chemistry experience, including significant use of GC-MS and/or LC-MS/UV.
• Experience of method development and method validation within a regulated analytical environment.
• A strong understanding of extractables and leachables work, or a closely related technical specialism.
• Experience producing technical protocols, reports and analytical documentation.
• Previous experience working within pharmaceutical, medical, CRO or similarly regulated testing environments.
• Knowledge of quality systems such as ISO 17025, cGxP and/or GMP.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical information clearly to customers and colleagues.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines and technical deliverables.
• A professional, self-motivated and collaborative approach.

Desirable but not essential:

• MSc, PhD or further postgraduate qualification.
• Experience in a customer-facing technical role.
• Previous responsibility for project scope, budgets, forecasts or timelines.
• Formal project management training or qualifications.
• Experience presenting technical information at workshops, conferences or customer meetings.

This is a strong opportunity for an experienced analytical chemistry professional to move into a visible technical lead role, joining a specialist team delivering high-quality scientific work for regulated customers. The position offers a salary of £40,000 - £42,000 (possible negotiation), hybrid working split between home and the Shrewsbury office, and the chance to develop as a recognised technical expert within a respected testing environment.

To apply, please submit your CV by clicking on the relevant links. If successful, you will be contacted by one of our consultants within 3 working days. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we expect to receive for this vacancy, if you do not hear from us within this time, you should presume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Grassroots Recruitment is acting as a recruitment agency and a recruitment business in respect of this vacancy. Grassroots Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer and recruiter. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, race, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion or disability.