Science Team Manager

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Do you have experience leading a team or are you looking to develop your management skills? Are you seeking a new opportunity to use your expert scientific knowledge with a leading organisation? If so, we may have a great opportunity for you.

We are looking for someone to manage our western waste operations science team in responding to treatment and compliance issues, optimising processes, troubleshooting, and providing advice to various parts of the business.

Please note this role will cover a 12-month maternity period, with the potential for future opportunities within the business.
What you'll do

• Lead a team of five Area Scientists as well as a Science Technician covering around 160 sites.
• Take responsibility for ensuring water recycling compliance and process performance across the western division.
• Lead stakeholder engagement, both internally and externally, with the likes of the Environment Agency, Engineering departments, Compliance teams, and Trade Effluent and Asset Strategy groups.
• Oversee chemical and sampling budget settings and performance.
• Lead continuous business improvement opportunities and changes to increase team efficiency.
• Monitor and report immediate and emerging compliance concerns to senior management.
• Manage, supervise, train and mentor Area/Development Scientists.
• Represent divisional process needs and requirements in cross-departmental meetings.
• Be responsible for chemical safety and COSHH across the division.
• Manage and support the Science team's resources to provide optimum performance across the division.
• Manage and develop staff, including performance management and recruitment.
• Ensure audits and any non-conforming work are followed up in a timely manner, reviewing methods and ensuring work is carried out to the appropriate regulatory requirement.
• Lead on internal and external audits and proactively look for efficiencies and improvements.
• Be responsible for the health, safety and security of staff and equipment.
• Coordinate out-of-hours and emergency cover where needed.

What you'll need

• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Expert scientific knowledge, preferably within wastewater.
• To demonstrate aptitude in problem-solving and decision-making.
• To be able to build a strong and flexible team.
• To be responsive to the needs of customers.
• To be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• People management experience is preferred.
• Fully computer literate including the use of spreadsheets and databases.
• Very strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• A full UK driving licence.

It would be beneficial to be a member of a relevant professional body, but if you're still working towards that, we're happy to support your continuous professional development.

The job will take you to a number of sites and offices across the west of our region, which covers Bristol, Taunton, Chard, Yeovil and everything in between, so you'll need to be able to travel easily too.
What you'll receive

• Total pension contributions up to 20%.
• Career progression and professional development opportunities.
• 25 days' holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
• The opportunity to buy up to ten days' holiday and sell up to five every year.
• A healthcare package that allows you to claim back healthcare costs.
• Life assurance of up to eight times your salary.
• A new electric car in exchange for part of your gross salary.
• Cashback and discounts from more than 3,000 retailers.
• One paid volunteering day each year.
• Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements.
• An interactive health and wellbeing platform.
• Support from mental health first aiders.
• A £1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone to work for us.

Who we are

We are one of the top-performing water and sewerage companies in England and Wales, serving 2.9 million people across the South West.

The work we do goes beyond providing an essential public service. We also aim to have a positive impact on the communities we serve and the natural environment.

Our people tell us Wessex Water is a great place to work, which is why so many of them stay with us! You will have the opportunity to develop and progress your career, while also receiving health and wellbeing support.

We also continue to promote diversity and inclusion with that in mind, all applicants are welcome. We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a Disability Confident Employer.

This is an exciting opportunity to join us and if you would like to be part of our journey, we would love to hear from you. Please do not hesitate to let us know about any additional support you may need.

Sound interesting? Apply to start your application.