Water Quality Sampling Manager

Department: Regulation & Compliance

Location: Manchester or Reading / Hybrid

The Opportunity

Join our Regulation and Compliance team and play a key role in shaping the future of drinking water quality.

We’re looking for an experienced and driven professional to lead the development, implementation and ongoing management of a Quality Management System (QMS) for our water sampling operations. This is a unique opportunity to bring regulatory drinking water sampling in‑house, ensuring full compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 and the Drinking Water Testing Specification (DWTS).

In this role, you’ll take ownership of designing and embedding robust sampling processes and quality standards, from building the QMS documentation through to establishing quality assurance and audit frameworks and achieving UKAS/DWTS accreditation. Alongside this, you’ll recruit, train and lead a small team of Water Quality Samplers, ensuring the effective delivery of our statutory and operational sampling programmes.

You’ll also work closely with the wider Water Quality team, supporting water quality investigations and contributing to the protection of public health and regulatory compliance across our water supply.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement a Quality Management System for sampling activities, aligned with ISO 17025 and DWTS requirements.

• Develop and maintain all policies, procedures, and associated documentation for sampling, transportation, and chain of custody.

• Develop and implement robust quality assurance protocols to ensure the integrity and reliability of all water sampling operations.

• Lead internal audits and proficiency testing schemes; manage corrective actions for non-conformances.

• Train and competence-assess sampling staff to meet accreditation standards.

• Prepare and submit UKAS application and manage assessment process to gain accreditation.

• Act as a point of contact for accreditation and regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and readiness for accreditation audits.

• Once the QMS and accreditation are established, ensure ongoing compliance with all relevant standards and requirements, including regular review and continuous improvement of quality assurance processes.

• Manage team of Water Quality Samplers ensuring safe and compliant operations.

• Oversee delivery of statutory and operational sampling programmes across all water supply zones.

• Provide expert advice on compliance with all water quality sampling matters.

• Monitor KPIs (e.g., % samples on time, compliance rate) and report performance to senior management.

• Ensure adherence to Health & Safety, COSHH, and environmental requirements.

• Maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including subcontracted laboratory providers and industry forums.

About You

Essential

• Strong knowledge of Water Supply Regulations, UKAS and DWTS accreditation requirements.

• Understanding of ISO 17025 and associated compliant systems and managing audits.

• Experience in water quality sampling or laboratory operations.

• Proven ability to lead teams and embed a culture of compliance and continuous improvement.

• Excellent organisational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

• Competence in digital systems (LIMS, scheduling software, Microsoft Office).

Desirable

• Degree in Environmental Science, Chemistry, or related discipline.

• Previous experience in implementing a QMS ideally in a laboratory or other testing environment.

• Familiarity with Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) requirements and DWTS.

Your Development and Benefits

At Leep, we believe in stable growth and putting our people first. Our 5-year strategic growth plan gives us stability today and prepares us for the future, while nurturing a strong collaborative and supportive culture.

Our benefits include:

• Salary which aligns to your experience and skillset

• 25 days paid holiday + bank holidays

• An additional day off to celebrate your birthday

• Annual discretionary bonus

• Car allowance

• Company pension plan

• Health Cash plan through Westfield Health

• Option to purchase additional holiday days through our Holiday Buying Scheme

• Engagement committee with events throughout the year, including Christmas Party, Summer Party and individual team socials

• Paid professional memberships relevant to your role and access to professional development opportunities

Our Values

At the forefront of everything we do:

Safety, Customer Promise, Accountability, Reliability, Respect, Flexibility

Equal Opportunities

Leep Utilities is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. If you require any appropriate accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know.