Dental Laboratory Manager

Job overview

The Laboratory Manager will provide professional, strategic and operational leadership for the Production Laboratory at Liverpool University Dental Hospital. As a senior technical authority, the post holder will be responsible for transforming and professionalising laboratory services to ensure the delivery of safe, high‑quality, and regulation‑compliant technical outputs that support complex restorative, prosthodontic and orthodontic care, undergraduate and postgraduate education, and multidisciplinary research.

The role holds full accountability for quality management systems, service standardisation, digital innovation and workforce development, including the implementation of modern digital workflows such as CAD/CAM, 3D printing and laboratory tracking technologies. The Laboratory Manager will lead the development of structured competency frameworks, training pathways and an apprenticeship programme to ensure long‑term workforce sustainability.

Working with a high level of autonomy within established governance frameworks, the post holder will provide expert advice to clinical teams and senior leaders, represent laboratory services at strategic and operational forums, and play a key leadership role during a period of significant service transformation aligned to the strategic ambitions of Liverpool University Dental Hospital.

Main duties of the job

Job Purpose

The Laboratory Manager is responsible for providing professional, strategic and operational leadership for the Production Laboratory at Liverpool University Dental Hospital. Liverpool Dental Hospital is a major specialist dental teaching hospital delivering complex restorative, prosthodontic and orthodontic care, undergraduate and postgraduate education, and multidisciplinary clinical research.

The post holder will lead the transformation and professionalisation of laboratory services, ensuring that all technical outputs consistently meet regulatory, clinical, educational and organisational standards. This includes accountability for quality management, digital innovation, workforce development, service standardisation and the delivery of a safe, efficient, and high‑performing laboratory service aligned to clinical pathways and teaching requirements.

As the senior technical authority for dental technology within the Trust, the Laboratory Manager will work autonomously within agreed governance frameworks, provide expert advice to clinicians and senior leaders, represent laboratory services at strategic and operational forums, and play a pivotal role in shaping modern, innovative and sustainable laboratory services during a period of significant transformation.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Leadership, Management and Workforce Development

• Provide visible, inclusive and professional leadership to all laboratory staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Act as the senior professional lead for dental technology within the Trust, setting standards for practice, conduct and performance.
• Establish, implement and lead an apprenticeship programme in collaboration with education providers, awarding bodies and national stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain structured competency frameworks and training pathways for all staff levels, from trainees to senior technical roles.
• Promote a learning culture that supports professional development, innovation and adoption of best practice.
• Lead workforce planning, succession planning, talent management and performance management processes to ensure service resilience and long‑term sustainability.
• Support staff wellbeing, engagement and retention, addressing capability and conduct issues in line with Trust policies.

Quality Management and Governance

• Hold full responsibility for quality management systems within the laboratory, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulatory, professional and Trust standards.
• Develop, implement and monitor standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency, safety and traceability of laboratory outputs.
• Ensure laboratory services meet clinical, educational and research requirements, maintaining high standards of accuracy, timeliness and patient safety.
• Lead internal audits, contribute to external inspections, and implement corrective and preventative action plans as required.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, infection prevention and control, COSHH, and other statutory requirements.
• Contribute to Trust governance processes, including risk management, incident investigation and service improvement planning.

Digital Innovation and Technology Integration

• Lead the digital transformation of laboratory services, including the integration and optimisation of CAD/CAM systems, 3D printing and digital design workflows.
• Oversee the implementation and management of laboratory tracking and workflow management systems to improve efficiency, traceability and performance monitoring.
• Support the adoption of digital workflows aligned to clinical services, including intraoral scanning and digital case planning.
• Use data analytics and performance metrics to inform decision‑making, capacity planning and service improvement.
• Horizon‑scan emerging technologies and innovations in dental technology, evaluating potential benefits and risks.
• Develop and present business cases for new equipment, systems or service developments where appropriate.

Operational and Resource Management

• Oversee the day‑to‑day operational management of the Production Laboratory, ensuring the timely, safe and high‑quality delivery of services.
• Manage laboratory budgets, staffing establishments, procurement processes and equipment lifecycle planning.
• Ensure effective utilisation of resources, balancing service demand with available capacity and workforce skills.
• Lead process improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma or similar methodologies to enhance flow, reduce delays and improve efficiency.
• Maintain effective communication with clinical teams to ensure laboratory services are responsive to changing clinical needs and priorities.
• Ensure appropriate contingency arrangements are in place to maintain service continuity.

Professional Advisory and Strategic Role

• Act as an expert professional advisor on dental laboratory matters to clinical teams, senior leaders and service managers.
• Represent laboratory services at Trust‑wide, regional and national meetings, contributing to strategic discussions and service development initiatives.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of Liverpool University Dental Hospital through the development of modern, professional and innovative laboratory services.
• Support undergraduate and postgraduate education through the provision of high‑quality technical services and professional input.
• Engage with research teams to support multidisciplinary clinical and academic research activity.