National Sampling Manager

*This role can be based nationwide*

We are Uisce Éireann. Every day, we are responsible for the delivery of secure, safe, and sustainable water services for the people of Ireland. As Ireland’s national regulated water utility, our vision is a sustainable Ireland where water is respected and protected, for the planet and all the lives it supports.

Our purpose at Uisce Éireann is to rise to the challenge of delivering transformative water services that enable communities to thrive. That means we are proud to take on the responsibility of protecting our water supply and passing on a safe and secure water system to a rapidly growing population and empowering Ireland’s social and economic growth.

We are passionate about empowering our people, enabling them to make a positive impact on communities across Ireland. We are guided by a shared vision and purpose, grounded in values that define who we are and shape how we work, where we deliver for customers and communities, we work better together, we do the right thing, we aim high, and we keep each other safe. Our behaviours define how we interact, communicate, and succeed together. These values and behaviours apply to each one of us, across every role, location, and level.

Our goal is to attract and develop skilled and talented people from diverse backgrounds, who bring a dynamic range of expertise and insights to our work. With a strong, values-driven workforce, we ensure Uisce Éireann can continue advancing Ireland’s water services and meeting the needs of the communities we serve for generations to come.

The Scientific Services functional area is responsible for the national provision of operational support services to include sampling and laboratory analytics, ensuring that activities are performed in accordance with regulatory obligations to protect public health and the environment. Reporting directly to the Scientific Services Manager, the National Sampling Manager will be responsible for the delivery of high-quality accredited sampling across Ireland at a low cost to Uisce Éireann and will implement strategy within the business unit relating to the sampling and field service provision to internal and external stakeholders. They will be responsible for the development of processes, procedures, and ways of working and the rollout of a national sampling service. They will secure and maintain ISO 17025 For sampling for both drinking water, surface water and wastewater sampling. The teams are required to work weekly shift patterns including covering “skeleton staff” schedule at weekends, as required.

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• Assist the Scientific Services Manager in the development of business strategies for the sampling service and Scientific Services as a whole by providing specialist advice in their area of expertise.
  
• Responsible for managing and maintaining an efficient focus on sample delivery times and ensuring these are meeting the set KPIs to improve reaction times to incidents and events by the wider business.
  
• Required to make decisions on the allocation of resources (finance, people, equipment, information, and data) and will be responsible for determining allocation where there are competing demands for these resources.
  
• Ensure INAB accreditation is attained and maintained.
  
• Maintain good working relationships with key stakeholders by engaging across the business and externally by providing high levels of customer service.
  
• With the Uisce Éireann Customer team and the CRU, develop customer engagement protocols for Sampling Officers as Uisce Éireann’s on‑ground representatives including customer safety and service issue escalation.
  
• Lead a culture of continuous improvement techniques where appropriate, to deliver cost efficiency and quality, challenging and developing solutions for improvements to existing analytical practices and adopting industry best practice.
  
• Ensure the team works in accordance with defined levels of competence, regulation standards, health and safety requirements, legislation, QA systems and standard operating procedures using the technology systems provided.
  
• Manage the Opex and Capex budgets for the sampling service.
  
• Responsible for building a high performing team by managing and developing their team members and for communicating all corporate and internal communications with their teams as appropriate.
  
• Monitor and report KPIs for processes over which they have ownership. Identify and analyse potential performance issues and recommend improvement opportunities.
  
• In the initial project phase of the role, manage development of best practices and implementation of standard operating procedures for the provision of laboratory services that maximise quality of output, efficiency and support the adoption of consistent processes.
  
• Responsible for carrying out any other duties that the Scientific Services Manager may reasonably request.
  

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• Collaboration with key internal stakeholders across the UÉ business.
  
• Responsible for promoting and delivering health and safety commitments across UÉ and its supply chain, reinforcing positive behaviours and delivering health and safety objectives and requirements to the highest industry standards.
  
• Support the delivery of the Uisce Éireann Transformation Programme, driving results required within the Directorate and supporting organisation‑wide objectives.
  
• Conduct duties and responsibilities in accordance with Uisce Éireann’s Information Security policies, standards, processes and controls to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of UÉ business information and delivery of critical services, in accordance with the NIS Directive and any other relevant cybersecurity regulation.
  
• Other duties as required.
  

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• Relevant third level qualification and/or accreditation is desirable.
  
• A minimum of 7 years’ experience in the water, utilities or similar industries is desirable and/or relevant experience.
  
• Experience in leading teams to deliver customer strategies that enhance customer service.
  
• Ability to enable positive teamwork across departments and encourage cooperation and open discussion to achieve common goals.
  
• Background in guiding and empowering teams to make a positive impact and challenging the status quo to drive development.
  
• Proven track record in leading continuous improvement initiatives in teams. Strong background in team motivation, and performance.
  
• Demonstrated experience in setting measurable safety and well‑being goals for a team.
  

The closing date for receipt of applications for this vacancy is 23/03/2026. Please note that applications submitted after this closing date will not be accepted.

*Please be advised that if successful you will be placed on the salary range based on your skills and experience. Please note the Market reference point (midpoint) of the range is generally the upper end of the offer where someone is deemed to be fully competent to take on the duties of the role, and leaves room for the employee to progress through the pay range as their experience develops further.

Uisce Éireann is an equal opportunities employer.

We are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive place of work and have a robust strategy and framework called ibelong to enable this. xcfaprz We are an equal opportunity employer and through our recruitment process we welcome and encourage applications from interested and suitably qualified individuals regardless of gender, age, racial or ethnic origin, membership of the traveller community, religion or beliefs, family or civil status, sexual orientation/gender identity or disability.