Teamleader Quality, Environment, Safety & Health (QESH)

Your job

Do you have solid leadership experience in QESH and a passion for quality, occupational safety, and the environment? Would you like to work with a motivated team and dedicated colleagues? Do you have in-depth knowledge of and experience with quality management systems under accreditation? Then you might be the person we are looking for!

As Team Leader QESH, you will manage a team of eight committed professionals and become part of a pleasant and professional department. The QESH department provides advice on quality management systems, occupational health and safety—including biological safety for both staff and the environment.
WBVR is ISO 9001:2015 certified, has several tests accredited under ISO 17025:2018, and organizes proficiency testing under ISO 17043:2010 accreditation. The organization holds an Environmental Permit and operates under strict regulations concerning work with biological agents (both human and veterinary) and with animals.

Your Responsibilities as Team Leader QESH include:

• Responsible for quality management and improvement, including the transition to ISO 17043:2023.
• Promoting knowledge and continuous implementation of the quality system through sound advice.
• Initiating evaluation and improvement projects related to quality, occupational health and safety, and the environment.
• Acting as the primary point of contact for these topics, including proper documentation, reporting, and compliance.
• Staying up to date with relevant developments and regulations applicable to WBVR.
• Maintaining internal expert networks across WUR.
• Acting as a discussion partner for the management team and wider organization, advocating for the importance of quality, safety, and environmental standards in a constructive and persuasive way.

You will be responsible for maintaining and improving the quality system, especially during the current transition to ISO 17043:2023. You will actively promote awareness and implementation of this system across the organization by providing expert advice. In addition, you will take the lead in continuous improvement projects focused on quality, health & safety, and the environment. You will ensure proper documentation, reporting, and review of all related processes.

Your qualities

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s level of working and thinking, demonstrated through a relevant educational background.
• Strong analytical skills and at least three years of experience as a team leader or manager in a quality department—preferably within the veterinary pharmaceutical industry or a commercial organization.
• In-depth knowledge of ISO-9001, ISO-17025, and ISO-17043 standards.
• Affinity with quality improvement, microbiological containment levels, and occupational health and safety in a laboratory or animal environment.
• Excellent communication skills at all organizational levels and with external stakeholders.
• Able to inspire and positively influence colleagues.
• Fluent in Dutch and English (minimum B2 level).

We operate in an increasingly international working environment, where English is commonly used. If you do not yet meet the required B2 level in English, we will support you with training via Wageningen in’to Language.

We recognize this role brings many exciting challenges—challenges that also represent great opportunities for personal development. Even if you don’t meet every requirement but have relevant and solid experience, we warmly encourage you to apply.

We offer you

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8,3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between €3.868,- minimum and max. €6831,- gross per month (for a full-time 36-hour workweek, scale 11/12 of the CAO WR). As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended  on good performance.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

Location: Lelystad, the Netherlands

Coming from abroad
WUR welcomes applications from international candidates. However, for applicants for this specific position from outside the EU/EFTA zone, immigration restrictions may apply based on Dutch and EU immigration laws. Such candidates may be eligible for an “orientation year” in the Netherlands or a visa as a “knowledge migrant”.

Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center. This program helps your partner to get familiar with the Dutch culture, labour market and assists your partner to find a job.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Do you want more information?

For more information about the position, please contact Lucia Kaal, Business Operations Manager, at +31 6 5396 8524 or via email: lucia.kaal@wur.nl.

For questions about the procedure, please contact Ine van’t Land, Corporate Recruiter, at: recruitment.asg@wur.nl.

Ready to apply?
Click the application button on the vacancy page on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be processed.

Deadline: May 26, 2025. Don’t wait too long—we will start scheduling interviews as soon as we receive strong applications.

Procedure

• A pre-employment screening will be part of the selection process.
• A Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) is required upon hiring.
• An assessment may be included in the selection procedure.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!


We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.