Team Leader Analytical Identification

Careers at AkzoNobel

Team Leader Analytical Identification

Company: AkzoNobel

About AkzoNobel

Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.

About the role

AkzoNobel is hiring a Team Leader Analytical Identification to oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of analytical identification and quick-response requests. This role plays a key part in ensuring high-quality output from a team of specialists while promoting safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities

• Lead a team of approximately 4 researchers, technicians, and specialists, ensuring the timely execution and delivery of activities.
• Plan and prioritize analytical activities, managing workload and staffing levels within set budgets and timelines.
• Collaborate with R&D and QC departments to align outputs with customer needs and provide timely updates on delays or issues.
• Coordinate urgent analytical requests, including complaints and quality control cases, across the broader analytical function.
• Ensure results from the team are accurate, using correct test methods, procedures, and quality standards.
• Communicate regularly with stakeholders, including project leads and R&D management, on activity status and take corrective actions when necessary.
• Continuously improve analytical capabilities, team knowledge, and work efficiency.
• Drive employee development, talent management, and succession planning within the team.
• Set objectives, review performance, and provide clear, constructive feedback and development plans.
• Ensure adherence to safety procedures and protocols (e.g. 5S, BBS), and that team members are equipped with the right tools and resources.
• Actively engage in hands-on problem-solving and practical work in the laboratory, supporting the team in troubleshooting and resolving technical challenges.

Job requirements

• Technical education in a relevant field such as analytical chemistry.
• Experience or affinity with analytical identification techniques.
• Strong communication skills in English (spoken and written); Dutch is a plus.
• Excellent coordination and organizational skills.
• Proactive, pragmatic, and positive mindset with strong ownership and accountability.
• Comfortable working in dynamic environments with shifting priorities and deadlines.
• Strong computer skills, including MS Office and analytical instrument software.

What we offer

• Competitive salary, plus travel and work-from-home expenses.
• 13th month salary.
• 46 holidays.
• 8% vacation allowance.
• Hybrid work option (4 days office, 1 day home office, per week).
• Training opportunities that will help you grow beyond this position.

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.