Job Description

Are you an experienced Biochemistry or Core Laboratory Scientist with strong technical expertise and a passion for leadership? Whether you're an established leader already or looking to take the next step in your career, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as a permanent full-time Biochemistry Site Lead.

About the role

We are currently seeking a Site Lead or Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist with in-depth knowledge and experience in biochemistry and leadership, or with clear leadership potential, to join our Pathlab Rotorua team. The position is full-time, permanent, and will be based in Rotorua.

This is a pivotal appointment. The Site Lead of Biochemistry holds operational, technical, and people leadership responsibility for the Rotorua Biochemistry service, practising as a registered Scientist while shaping service delivery, quality standards, and future capability at the Rotorua site, and contributing to the direction of Biochemistry across the wider Pathlab network.

Reporting to the Biochemistry Service Lead, you will:

• Combine advanced scientific expertise with operational and leadership accountability.
• Provide authoritative technical oversight across Biochemistry investigations.
• Lead and develop a team of Scientists and Technicians, embedding a high-performance, quality-focused culture.
• As part of the Rotorua laboratory management team, oversee laboratory operations, workforce planning, workflow optimisation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with discipline leaders across Haematology, Transfusion Medicine, and Pre-analytical Services to strengthen cross-functional integration.
• Lead accreditation, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance aligned with IANZ and ISO 15189 standards.
• Contribute to service innovation, automation optimisation, and longer-term strategic planning.

The Rotorua core laboratory is a close-knit team of 17 experienced professionals providing a 24/7 service, rotating through Biochemistry, Haematology, Transfusion Medicine, and Microbiology work areas. Each discipline has a designated Site Lead who is permanently rostered to day shift in their area, providing stable technical support and leadership. Staff are allocated to a Site Lead for management and oversight of their professional development across all disciplines.

The Pathlab Biochemistry service operates at each of the five Pathlab laboratories, and each has a local Biochemistry lead position, with the Biochemistry Service Lead accountable for the service overall. You will therefore be part of both the Rotorua laboratory leadership team and the network of technical leads managing Biochemistry across the company — an opportunity to collaborate with like-minded leaders on cross-discipline and cross-site projects, within a discipline-specific support network.

About you

You will demonstrate knowledge, expertise, and skill in the delivery of a Biochemistry service. We are looking for a technically credible, confident leader who is ready to operate at senior departmental level and contribute beyond day-to-day operations. Your ability to show leadership, initiative, and work well with others will see you transition seamlessly into our team.

You will bring:

• A recognised tertiary qualification in Medical Laboratory Science (or equivalent), with a minimum of 5 years’ practical experience in a Biochemistry service.
• Leadership experience within a diagnostic laboratory environment or demonstrated leadership potential and a genuine desire to lead.
• Strong technical depth with the ability to mentor, challenge, and elevate team capability.
• A good understanding of IANZ requirements, quality governance, and ISO 15189 standards.
• Experience with laboratory automation, middleware, and process optimisation.
• Enthusiasm for continuous improvement, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively with excellent organisation and time management skills.
• The ability to engage confidently with clinical stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Registration (or eligibility for registration) with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand and a current Annual Practising Certificate.

Your normal working hours will be 40 hours per week, day shift, but with responsibility for the smooth running of a 24/7 service, flexibility is essential. In an innovative, dynamic, challenging and rewarding environment, we are committed to providing employment related learning and development opportunities.

Why Pathlab?

Are you interested in lifelong employability through reskilling and upskilling? At Pathlab, we have a culture of continuous learning and development. People are at the core of everything we do — join us to find your sense of belonging with a company that will nurture and invest in your potential. In this role you will:

• Influence service direction and innovation.
• Work alongside and contribute to the development of a team of skilled scientific professionals.
• Access ongoing professional development and leadership growth opportunities.
• Build a long-term career within a respected and expanding laboratory network.

Other benefits enjoyed by our staff are access to confidential EAP services via ClearHead, and a free annual flu vaccination.

About the company

Pathlab Rotorua is a proud member of the wider Pathlab group. Owned and directed by a team of highly experienced, local Pathologists, we are proud of our robust systems and innovative solutions. We are quality and people-focused, helping more than 5,000 patients per day throughout the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and Lakes areas.

Our values reflect our commitment to service excellence, treating each other with respect and honesty, staying enthusiastic about continuous improvement, respecting our New Zealand heritage, and acknowledging the Treaty of Waitangi.

How to apply

If you are a technically accomplished Biochemistry or Core Laboratory Scientist seeking a senior leadership role with influence, accountability, and future-facing scope, we welcome your application.

Please apply with your CV and a covering letter via the Seek portal.

Don't miss this opportunity to join our team. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so we encourage you to apply early.

Pathlab is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.