Full time Permanent

Head Of Chemistry

Pertemps Northampton

Kettering, North Northamptonshire, NN16 8DF

£50000 - £70000 per annum

Posted: 13 August 2026 (Yesterday)

Closing date: 12 September 2026

Ref: 60653589

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About the Role

The Head of Chemistry will lead a multidisciplinary laboratory team of roughly 20 scientific professionals in Kettering, Northamptonshire. This full-time, permanent position offers a salary between £50,000 and £70,000 per annum and requires a fully site-based presence across 37.5 hours weekly. You will oversee technical excellence, drive commercial development, and nurture staff progression within a prominent UK testing and certification organisation. Your remit includes strategic planning, operational management, and maintaining rigorous quality standards across the function. Candidates should possess substantial chemistry leadership experience, strong people-management capabilities, and a record of fostering departmental growth. This role suits a decisive leader seeking to influence laboratory direction while ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality scientific services.

Head of Chemistry | 12 Month FTC (Maternity Cover)
Kettering, Northamptonshire
Full Time | 37.5 Hours Per Week
Competitive Salary + Excellent Benefits
100% sitebased
Are you an experienced chemistry leader with a passion for people development, technical excellence and commercial growth?
We're supporting a leading UK testing, certification and research organisation in the recruitment of a Head of Chemistry to lead a well-established and highly regarded chemistry function on a 12-month maternity cover contract.
This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a multidisciplinary laboratory operation, leading a team of around 20 scientific professionals while helping shape the future direction of the department.
The Opportunity
You will provide strategic and operational leadership across the chemistry division, ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality testing services while driving commercial growth, innovation and continuous improvement.
The laboratory is equipped with a range of analytical instrumentation including GC-MS, HPLC and LC-MS and supports clients across consumer product sectors through testing, compliance and certification services.

Key responsibilities include:
Leading, motivating and developing a team of managers, scientists and technicians
Driving departmental growth through business development and market engagement
Supporting sales and marketing initiatives to increase market share
Maintaining technical excellence and regulatory compliance
Managing UKAS-accredited activities and scope development
Building and maintaining strong relationships with industry stakeholders, customers and regulatory bodies
Championing continuous improvement, quality and health & safety standards
Contributing technical expertise through webinars, publications and industry engagement
About You
We're keen to speak with candidates who can demonstrate:
Proven experience leading and developing high-performing technical teams
A strong chemistry, laboratory or scientific testing background
Commercial awareness and experience supporting business growth
Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
The ability to translate technical expertise into strategic business outcomes
Experience managing quality systems within a regulated environment
Strong organisational and leadership capabilities
Desirable
Degree qualified in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline
Leadership or management qualification
Experience working within accredited laboratory environments
International stakeholder engagement experience

What's On Offer?
Competitive salary
Generous annual leave allowance
Company pension scheme
Life assurance
Income protection
Free onsite parking
Opportunity to lead an established and respected scientific team
Exposure to international projects and industry-leading technical work
If you're an ambitious chemistry leader looking for a role where you can influence strategy, develop people and drive commercial success, we'd love to hear from you.
For a confidential discussion or to apply, please get in touch.