Operations Manager – Gas & Laboratory Services Environment

Location: Staffordshire

Salary: £60,000 + Benefits

Recruitment Partner: DCS Engineering – Exclusive Search Partner

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for a technically adept Operations Manager to take leadership responsibility for the full delivery lifecycle of a suite of complex, regulated products and services in the specialist gas, laboratory testing, and gas quality measurement sector.

This role is pivotal in ensuring seamless delivery of operations across four mission-critical departments — Production, Laboratory Services, Logistics, and Maintenance — with a direct line management responsibility for 4 team leads and an overall headcount of 30.

Key Operational Metrics

• Team Leadership: 4 direct reports | 30 total staff
• Scope of Responsibility: Full-service lifecycle — production, compliance, testing, logistics, client interaction, and continuous improvement

About the Role

The Operations Manager will take end-to-end ownership for the delivery of high-precision calibration gases, gas sample testing, UKAS-accredited inspection services, on-site gas quality audits, and proficiency testing schemes, ensuring compliance to UKAS and international quality standards.

This is a technically intensive and commercially visible position, requiring the ability to engage in detail with chemical and gas-based processes, understand the intricacies of dangerous goods handling and transport documentation, and communicate fluently with clients, suppliers, regulators, and internal technical teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations across Production, Laboratory Services, Logistics, and Maintenance functions
• Ensure all services are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with ISO 17025, ISO 17034, ISO 17043, and related UKAS accreditations
• Manage the handling, decanting, inspection, and return logistics of high-pressure gas cylinders, with adherence to all relevant COMAH and DGSA transport regulations
• Lead cost-control activities across raw materials (gas blends), specialty components, maintenance, subcontractor services, and logistics operations
• Utilise KPI dashboards for performance monitoring, continuous improvement, and sales forecasting
• Oversee supplier performance and take responsibility for procurement-to-payment processes, including capex investment reviews for new analytical instrumentation
• Engage directly with end-clients and technical partners to resolve complex delivery or service-related queries
• Embed best practices across SHEQ, driving a safety-first culture and continuous compliance with HSE regulations and hazardous goods documentation

• Person Specification

  Essential:

  • Degree-qualified in Chemical Engineering, Analytical Chemistry, Gas Engineering, or related STEM discipline
  • Strong operational management background in technical, regulated industries such as industrial gases, chemical processing, gas metrology, or LNG/natural gas
  • Proven track record managing high-throughput production environments with tight quality and safety controls
  • Sound understanding of gas quality measurement, gas blending principles, and reference material traceability
  • Familiarity with the documentation, labelling, and compliance requirements for ADR transport, dangerous goods, and cylinder lifecycle management
  • Demonstrated capability in people leadership, cross-functional communication, and driving technical improvements across operational systems

  
  

  Desirable:

  • Experience working within or in support of UKAS-accredited laboratories
  • Knowledge of global standards such as ISO 6141, ISO 10723, and EN 14181
  • Previous exposure to international stakeholders in the LNG, energy, or process analytics sectors

  
  

  Key Competencies

  • Customer Focus – Understands and anticipates complex technical client requirements
  • Plans & Aligns – Translates strategic objectives into detailed operational KPIs
  • Directs Work – Leads performance through data-driven decision making and accountability
  • Develops Talent – Coaches and develops cross-disciplinary teams with succession planning in mind
  • Drives Engagement – Fosters ownership, autonomy, and pride in delivering high-specification services
  • Communicates Effectively – Technical communicator, able to adjust tone and detail for suppliers, scientists, and senior stakeholders alike

• About the Company

  This is a globally recognised leader in gas quality, calibration gases, and analytical services, with customers in the energy, environmental, and petrochemical sectors. The business holds multiple UKAS accreditations, operates on a global scale, and is backed by one of the largest industrial gas organisations worldwide.

  
  

  How to Apply

  DCS Engineering are exclusively managing this appointment.

  For a confidential conversation