Provides oversight and direction for the day-to-day operation of the Laboratory service in consultation with Team Leaders Schedule, supervise and document the operational and personnel activities of the department to ensure proper processing, testing and analysis of specimens. Plan and organise departmental resources to successfully achieve established goals and objectives. Organise the rota and shift system to manage the workload effectively. Takes initiative to evaluate new methods and instrumentation. Performs method and equipment validation. Implements the new procedures and/or instrument. Attend Operational and Quality meetings and lead for the laboratory meetings. Responsible for developing, supporting and reporting data to support the business requirements. Support Cost of Testing, Referral Testing and other productivity measures. Reviews the quality control and quality assurance measures on a monthly basis to ensure the highest standards of good laboratory practices are achieved. Review and approve quality control reports used to assess the validity of testing procedure, initiate remedial/corrective action where indicated. Ensures that all audit findings are responded to and addressed within appropriate timelines. Facilitates training and competency assessment in technical areas to ensure employees are appropriately skilled. Responsible for ensuring employee satisfaction through implementation of management practices including, recruitment, training, setting of annual objectives, performance reviews, succession planning, performance management and internal communication. Contribute to strategic planning and budgetary processes each year, if and as required. When required, to provide laboratory tours to clients, auditors etc. Involved in own and departments Continuing Professional Development programme, which may include running meetings, inviting speakers, presenting information to the rest of the staff or attending off-site meetings. Delegate responsibilities as appropriate in a technical capacity relating to the laboratory service. Ensures that safety, environmental, company and departmental policies and procedures are disseminated, understood, complied with and documented. Ensure that employees receive appropriate training in working practices in line with the Safety & Environmental Management System. Understand and apply the site Safety, Environmental Policy, Safety Management System and relevant legal safety & Environmental requirements in conjunction with the Director of Compliance. Participates in annual performance appraisal process. Duty to comply with all applicable standards as required by the company. Contribute to client satisfaction and ensure any complaints are hanlded in accordance with the organisational policies and procedures.