We are currently seeking an experienced and motivated Laboratory Supervisor to work with our Business Unit Manager to lead our successful Western Victoria Laboratory team of construction materials testing technicians who are vital in ensuring the quality and safety of the construction materials used in some of VIC’s largest road, tunnel, airport, rail and residential projects.
You will manage the day-to-day operations of the laboratory, with a strong focus on sample receival and oversight across the full laboratory lifecycle, ensuring work is delivered to a high-quality and efficient standard. The role is responsible for promoting safe work practices, implementing and managing SOPs, maintaining the quality of outputs, and ensuring client satisfaction. It also involves leading the team to achieve performance and efficiency KPIs, while fostering a positive culture focused on quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
This role will involve:
Safety
- Promote a safety culture in the laboratory, continuously striving for zero harm.
- Ensure all employees follow Coffey Testing safety policies and procedures.
- Ensure all SWMS and risk assessments are completed prior to commencing work.
- Ensure all SWMS and risk assessments are correctly followed.
- Communicate safety messages to all employees (via toolbox talks, daily stand ups, etc.).
- Actively demonstrate a safe working culture.
Quality
- Ensure all employees have the correct tools to maintain quality, including iAuditor.
- Ensure all employees are working within the relevant NATA and Australian standards.
- Audit tests and results to ensure standards are continuously being met.
- Ensure that all results are accurately recorded in Geotester.
- Participate in audits to ensure the laboratory retains accreditation and implement corrective actions.
- Immediately escalate any quality concerns to your direct manager.
- Ensure all employees follow Coffey Testing quality policies and procedures.
People
- Mentor and coach laboratory employees.
- Ensure laboratory employees have the skills and knowledge to effectively perform their role.
- Act as an escalation point for laboratory employees.
- Provide day-to-day management, ensuring effective delegation of field and laboratory work.
- Monitor pipeline of work.
- Work with the Business Unit Manager to determine staffing levels and skills required to meet current and future workload.
- Assess training requirements for laboratory employees and engage with the Training team to deliver on those requirements.
- Manage all aspects of the employee life cycle, including (but not limited to) recruitment and onboarding, conflict resolution, performance management, disciplinary actions, and setting of KPIs.
- Approve employee timesheets to ensure accuracy and compliance with the Enterprise Agreement.
- Effectively roster staff in line with forecasted revenue to ensure Coffey Testing is profitable.
- Ensure secondments and changes in duties are effectively communicated to employees and HR, supported with the correct paperwork.
- Build and develop a team that adheres to company values and behaviours.
- Ensure all company policies and procedures are followed.
- Manage administrative and HR tasks related to the team, including recruitment, secondments, change in duties, probationary reviews, updating position descriptions, performance appraisals, attendance, leave, terminations, employee engagement activities, and disciplinary actions.
Financial
- Work with the Business Unit Manager to quote for new business, ensuring the best outcome for Coffey Testing.
- Ensure all new clients have completed the relevant account forms prior to starting work and have been added by Accounts Receivable.
- Communicate with the Business Unit Manager to ensure a contract or purchase order has been organised prior to commencing work.
- Ensure all internal processes are followed to enable accurate and timely invoicing.
- Perform Geotester duties, including establishment of clients/projects, associated fee schedules, reporting of results, and ensuring accuracy of chargeable items on all work requests at time of issue.
- Escalate to the Business Unit Manager when deadlines are not being met.
Commercial
- Build professional relationships with stakeholders both internally and externally.
- Act as an escalation point for clients to effectively manage disputes.
- Communicate current and future laboratory plans to internal stakeholders to ensure alignment and teamwork.
- Liaise with the Business Unit Manager on business development activities, including identifying leads, submitting proposals, client engagement, and maintaining positive client relationships.
- Provide expert advice to both internal and external stakeholders to ensure Coffey Testing delivers honest and accurate guidance.
Coffey Testing is offering an attractive salary for this position and provision of a Coffey Testing vehicle for the right candidate.
About you
To be successful you will have:
- 5+ years’ experience in laboratory and field testing of a range of construction materials.
- Proven experience managing a team in a laboratory environment.
- NATA signatory.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills when dealing with a range of stakeholders.
- Unwavering commitment to quality assurance and workplace safety.
- Ability to operate autonomously and as part of a team to achieve required results.
- Time management, organisation and prioritisation skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
- Ability to delegate and enable team members.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other required systems.
- Diploma of Laboratory Techniques or higher advantageous.
- Hold a valid driver’s licence.
All successful applicants will undergo a drug, alcohol and medical assessment as part of our recruitment process.
What Coffey Testing can offer
Here at Coffey Testing, we believe our employees are our biggest asset and we want our employees to experience job satisfaction. We offer a range of employee benefits nationally across the business:
- Investment in employee growth and development through internal and company-funded external training including Certificate pathways in Laboratory Techniques.
- Additional overtime, penalty rates and Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA) subject to project undertaking.
- Access to accommodation options (subject to project undertaking).
- Company car (subject to project undertaking).
- Opportunities to travel.
- Company initiatives including recognition and reward programs, monthly lab events and health and wellness initiatives.
- Supportive and friendly team environment.
- Coverage by an Enterprise Agreement offering above Award conditions to all technical staff.
- Additional paid parental leave.
- Career advancement opportunities.
We believe in equal opportunity
At Coffey Testing, we are a proud, culturally diverse workforce and embrace the notion of equity. We value the different talents, experiences and perspectives a culturally diverse workforce brings to our business and encourage you to apply.
No applications will be accepted via email.
