Lab Coordinator

Job description

The Lab Coordinator in Oegstgeest is responsible for leading daily laboratory operations, coordinating team activities, prioritizing workload, and driving safety and continuous improvement. This role serves as a key interface between the lab team and internal/external stakeholders, ensuring top-tier technical capability, robust performance against KPI targets, and hands-on technical guidance in testing methods.

Key Responsibilities

This position is located on-site in Oegstgeest.

Operational & Team Leadership

Coordinate operational lab activities by leading regular team meetings, managing and distributing incoming requests, tracking actions, escalating issues, driving KPI targets, and providing direct people leadership, coaching, and supervision for Lab Technicians, Lab Technologists, and interns.

Prioritization & Technical Management

Manage task prioritization and workload in cooperation with the Lab Manager, maintain accurate standard operating procedures (SOPs), track machine maintenance and consumable stocks, identify capability gaps, and act as a key interface to service partners.

Safety & Stakeholder Coordination

Act as safety responsible for assigned lab areas, serving as an interface to the regional safety committee, handling escalations, and maintaining regular communication with internal requesters, suppliers, and service partners.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

Accountable for defining and driving continuous improvement and automation activities, developing new test methods, and evaluating novel test approaches across all lab areas. Provide inputs for future needed capabilities in the scope of CapEx planning in collaboration with team members and the Lab Manager.

Technical Expertise & Hands-on Support

Build specific expertise on utilized lab testing methods, provide hands-on support to the team for testing and troubleshooting. Offer technical guidance on test method selection and testing capabilities.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree (HBO BSc) in Materials Science, Chemistry, Polymer Engineering or a closely related field. 2-5 years of work experience in a lab environment, preferably related to the testing of polymers, film constructions, or coatings. Proven experience in people management and leading a team. High level of independence, agility, and a well-organized approach with strong attention to detail. Fluency in English (written and spoken).

Fluency in Dutch is preferred.