Victoria Astell
Lincoln,UK
Summary
Driven and skilled in laboratory procedures and team management, adept in ensuring operational excellence and safety compliance. Strong background in analytical techniques and quality control, with proven ability to lead teams and streamline processes. Committed to enhancing laboratory performance and achieving impactful outcomes,
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
16
16
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Laboratory Manager
NMB Minebea UK
Lincoln
04.2022 - 01.2025
- Managed NADCAP accredited engineering laboratory, overseeing chemical analysis, product testing and development
- Enhanced data accuracy with meticulous record management system.
- Handled incident reports promptly, reducing potential risks and hazards.
- Observed laboratory performance to identify strengths and address improvement areas.
- Coordinated health and safety activity for full compliance with COSHH guidelines and risk policies.
- Set and monitored laboratory KPIs to maintain productivity and performance within targets.
- Served as primary liaison between the laboratory and regulatory bodies during inspections and audits.
- Maintained inventories and reordered low-supply stock to meet laboratory requirements.
- Responded to non-conformances quickly, limiting research discrepancies.
- Evaluated use of resources to identify areas to cut costs and opportunities for investment.
- Recognised resource, process and procedure opportunities to improve laboratory performance.
- Ensured compliance with all health and safety regulations whilst carrying out laboratory tasks.
- Met internal and external accreditation factors for full testing activity compliance.
- Managed on-site laboratory staff and scheduled rotas to meet operational needs.
Operational administrator/Driver (Bank)
Devon Doctors
06.2012 - 01.2025
- My duties within these roles include working within the various treatment centres in Devon on day and night shifts; Liaising between medical professionals, control centre staff and the public to assist the clinicians in the smooth running of out of hour’s service
- The role is predominantly reception/administration based with elements of stock/drug management and driving GPs to patient’s homes
- This is a bank-based role where I do not have set hours only those shifts, I volunteer for, this leaves me free weekdays Monday to Friday
Covid Laboratory Analyst
Randox Laboratories
Doncaster
01.2022 - 04.2022
- Company Overview: Based at Doncaster Airport
- This was a temporary role based at Doncaster airport, the role required me to process COVID PCR and lateral flow tests for passengers using the airport
- Based at Doncaster Airport
Chemistry & Laboratory Supervisor
Nitec (UK) Ltd
Chesterfield
12.2020 - 10.2021
- Responsibility for control of plating solutions and pre-treatment tanks and involvement with trailing of new chemical solutions
- Management of chemical stock and overseeing the running of shim/chemical control laboratories
- Writing SOPs for the laboratory/Waste areas & data/KPI analysis for efficiency of waste/chemical processes
- Running & supervision of waste treatment via an on-site effluent plant, this included adherence to strict flow/chemical parameters and external disposal of waste chemicals used in Electroless Nickel metal plating
Laboratory & EHS Manager
South West Metal Finishing
Exeter
05.2019 - 11.2020
- Responsible for the on-site laboratory and EHS at a medium sized metal finishing company
- This includes all chemical analysis on over 120 plating baths, keeping solutions within strict specifications set by defence and customer standards
- The day to day running of the laboratory also includes calibration, training and quality assurance testing of parts and test pieces
- The EHS side of my role includes full management of the companies 14001 environmental system, managing all waste transfers and internal waste disposal through the on-site effluent plant, risk assessments, occupational health, fire safety, first aid, REACH, RoHS, and all training/advisement for EHS related subjects
- Engaged staff on EHS matters through regular briefings and discussions, promoting a proactive safety culture.
- Investigated reports of injuries and near misses, testing equipment and inspecting work stations to locate hazards.
- Informed authorities about incidents to comply with mandated health and safety laws and regulations.
- Sustained regulatory compliance by liaising with local and national authorities.
- Coordinated emergency drills for an effective response in crisis situations.
- Analysed industry-specific risks to optimise mitigative planning.
- Streamlined reporting procedures, enhancing data accuracy and accessibility.
- Handled chemicals and waste in line with COSHH regulations.
Laboratory Area Leader/Manager
British Ceramic Tile
Heathfield
09.2014 - 01.2019
- The main duties included supervision of an on-site manufacturing laboratory, making sure that products were tested to the British Standard requirements and factory specification
- A large proportion of my role included maintaining and setting up of large, complex databases within the laboratory and other departments within the factory
- Using the data to monitor and report trends/issues to relevant parties
- I was responsible for maintaining and producing most of the SOPs and laboratory-based documentation including technical reports within the department’s quality system
- I was regularly involved with technical process improvements/projects within the site and material body trials
- I took on a role with regards to health and safety within the workplace, I was the companies radiation protection supervisor and have written and executed all safe schemes of work/risk assessments for the laboratory
- Led daily operations to maintain smooth store running.
Trainee/Teacher of science
West Exe Technology College/Uffculme Schhol
Exeter/Uffculme, Devon
09.2009 - 07.2012
- My duties included teaching key stage 3 and 4 science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), pastoral responsibilities, lesson planning and curriculum development
- Reason for leaving: To move back into laboratory-based role
- Followed health and safety procedures to keep students safe.
- Maintained high standards of behaviour within classroom, fostering a conducive learning atmosphere.
- Exercised strong classroom management skills to minimise low-level disruption, maintain discipline and cultivate productive learning environment.
- Maintained updated curriculum knowledge for expert student guidance.
- Tailored lesson content and delivery to encompass updates to Science syllabus and exam criteria.
- Established and enforced classroom, lab and field trip rules and regulations to maintain order during lessons.
Print room supervisor
Michelmores LLP
Exeter
12.2007 - 09.2010
- My duties included providing solicitors and other legal professionals with timely & accurate copies of documents in various formats such as A1 style plans, data discs and A4 files
- I also supervised office assistants within the same role
- I was able to use specialist applications/equipment to manipulate and present documents as per the specification of the client for example enlarging/reducing copy sizes, taking paper copies and producing a computer-based format
Medical Technical Officer (grade 2)
Royal Devon and Exeter NHS foundation trust
09.2004 - 11.2007
- Company Overview: Microbiology dept
- This role was based in the Food, water & environmental microbiology department of the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
- My main responsibilities within this role included supervising and training junior members of staff, developing new methods, continuous development, and improvement of the quality system to allow the department to adhere to UKAS requirements, implementing and running the internal quality assurance scheme within the department which allowed me to develop skills in manipulating data, displaying, and interpreting data
- I also assisted in the day to day running of the department by checking and maintaining equipment such as pH probes, incubators, and micro-pipettes, processing samples, recording results, completing various stock control and data entry
Education
GCSEs - English, Science, Mathematics, Design Technology, German, Geography, Information technology, Music
Tiverton High school
Tiverton, Devon 09.1992 - 07.1997
GNVQ (level 3) - science
Exeter College
01.1997 - 01.1999
BSc (Hons) - Environmental science
Coventry University
01.1999 - 01.2002
MSc - Environmental toxicology & pollution monitoring
University of Ulster
01.2004 - 01.2008
Post Graduate Certificate of Education - secondary science with qualified teacher status
University of Roehampton
01.2009 - 01.2010
Certificate of Higher Education - Occupational Health and Safety
NEBOSH
09.2020 - 06.2021
Skills
- Driving licence
- ICT skills
- Microsoft applications
- Specialist databases
- Effective delegation
- Technical leadership
- Project leadership
- Regulatory knowledge
- Technical communication
- Decision making
- Hazardous waste disposal
- Strong verbal communication
- Lab workflow optimisation
- Resourcefulness
Custom
References are available on request.
Timeline
Laboratory Manager
NMB Minebea UK
04.2022 - 01.2025
Covid Laboratory Analyst
Randox Laboratories
01.2022 - 04.2022
Chemistry & Laboratory Supervisor
Nitec (UK) Ltd
12.2020 - 10.2021
Certificate of Higher Education - Occupational Health and Safety
NEBOSH
09.2020 - 06.2021
Laboratory & EHS Manager
South West Metal Finishing
05.2019 - 11.2020
Laboratory Area Leader/Manager
British Ceramic Tile
09.2014 - 01.2019
Operational administrator/Driver (Bank)
Devon Doctors
06.2012 - 01.2025
Trainee/Teacher of science
West Exe Technology College/Uffculme Schhol
09.2009 - 07.2012
Post Graduate Certificate of Education - secondary science with qualified teacher status
University of Roehampton
01.2009 - 01.2010
Print room supervisor
Michelmores LLP
12.2007 - 09.2010
Medical Technical Officer (grade 2)
Royal Devon and Exeter NHS foundation trust
09.2004 - 11.2007
MSc - Environmental toxicology & pollution monitoring
University of Ulster
01.2004 - 01.2008
BSc (Hons) - Environmental science
Coventry University
01.1999 - 01.2002
GNVQ (level 3) - science
Exeter College
01.1997 - 01.1999
GCSEs - English, Science, Mathematics, Design Technology, German, Geography, Information technology, Music
Tiverton High school
09.1992 - 07.1997
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