Manufacturing Testing Manager

About us:

Based in Melbourn, near Cambridge, UK, SPT Labtech makes products that transform the way scientists work. For over two decades, our expert scientists, engineers and business innovators have provided scientists with world-leading, innovative solutions for liquid handling, sample preparation, and sample management that help accelerate research and make a real difference to human health.

We work collaboratively with our customers, building trusted relationships that enable us to deliver exceptional, personalized experiences designed for real-world challenges in the lab.

Want to be part of a team that’s making a difference to human health?

About the role:

The Manufacturing Test Manager leads all testing of precision dispensing head assemblies before they ship, from incoming inspection through final leak and functional release. You will develop and carry out a test strategy that supports production schedules, standardize test processes and SOPs, and drive root cause analysis on test failures. The role makes the go/no-go release decision on each unit and works closely with production, supplier quality and our international engineering team.

DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Test strategy and operations

Develop and implement a manufacturing test strategy that supports production schedules and business goals.

Oversee test operations day to day: scheduling, staffing, equipment and throughput against the production plan.

Own the full test lifecycle, from test requirements and test plans through execution, defect tracking and reporting.

Own leak, pressure-decay and functional test procedures; set pass/fail criteria with engineering.

Maintain golden reference units so results stay comparable over time.

Keep test fixtures and instruments calibrated and maintained to minimize downtime.

Allocate and manage test resources, including people, equipment and budget.

Failure analysis and continuous improvement

Lead root cause analysis on test failures using 8D, 5-Why and fishbone methods, and track corrective actions to closure.

Design and run structured test plans (DOE) to isolate causes such as seal gland depth, bore surface finish, burrs and cleaning residue.

Arrange outside metrology when in-house capability falls short.

Drive continuous improvement and cost reduction through test automation and process simplification.

Evaluate and introduce new test technologies, tools and methods.

Quality and compliance

Standardize test processes, SOPs, work instructions and records under the ISO 9001 quality system.

Execute nonconformance (NCR) and CAPA procedures tied to test results.

Establish and monitor KPIs for yield, throughput and quality, and brief senior leadership on performance and risks.

Support CE marking and customer audits with complete, traceable test records.

New product introduction and cross-functional work

Support new product introduction and design transfer, including test method development and validation.

Work with supplier quality on incoming inspection of machined parts; feed test data back to suppliers.

Partner with assembly teams on build practices that affect test yield.

Represent test in cross-functional forums and act as the site test contact for the international engineering team.

People leadership

Hire, train, certify and mentor test technicians; lead performance reviews and career development.

matrix current and build a culture of accurate data and early escalation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, electrical or quality engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years in test, quality or manufacturing engineering for precision instruments, medical devices or fluidic assemblies
• 2+ years managing technicians or a manufacturing test team.
• Hands-on experience with leak and pressure-decay testing and sealing design (O-rings, gland dimensions).
• Working knowledge of GD&T, surface finish specs and reading mechanical drawings.
• Proven use of structured RCA methods (8D, 5-Why, fishbone) and statistics (SPC, Cp/Cpk, DOE).
• Experience working under ISO 9001, including NCR/CAPA and document control.
• Experience with SAP or an equivalent ERP system.
• Strong communication at all levels and the ability to make independent, informed decisions under tight deadlines and changing priorities

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with liquid-handling or life-science lab automation instruments.
• Familiarity with surface metrology (profilometry or optical measurement systems) and machined-part cleanliness (deburring, residue).
• Knowledge of stainless steel grades for machined parts and passivation.
• Background in Lean Manufacturing; ASQ certification (CQE, CQM or CRE) or Six Sigma Green/Black Belt.
• Test automation experience, such as LabVIEW or Python.
• Experience with CE marking technical files and customer or notified-body audits.
• Multi-site experience working with an overseas engineering or parent-company team.