Laboratory Manager - Dairy Or Food Industry

Laboratory Manager - dairy or food manufacturing industry.

Location: Tewkesbury Production Site
Salary: £35,000 - £37,500 per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week
Working Pattern: Monday-Friday, with flexibility for urgent operational requirements

About the Role

An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced and knowledgeable Laboratory Manager to lead the laboratory function at a well-established dairy production site in Tewkesbury.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing laboratory operations, developing the laboratory team and working closely with the Technical and Production teams to maintain the highest standards of food safety, product quality and regulatory compliance.

You will play a key role in ensuring compliance with BRCGS, HACCP, food safety legislation and laboratory procedures, while driving continuous improvement across testing, documentation, audits and quality systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of product safety, quality and compliance across laboratory testing activities, including raw materials, in-process, finished product and shelf-life testing.
• Plan and oversee laboratory testing schedules, ensuring appropriate methods are followed and results are accurately recorded, monitored, analysed and trended.
• Lead, manage and develop Laboratory Technicians and the Laboratory Team Leader, creating a collaborative and high-performing team.
• Maintain a high level of audit readiness and support BRCGS accreditation audits.
• Ensure laboratory equipment is appropriately maintained, calibrated, validated and serviced.
• Coordinate external laboratory analysis and provide Certificates of Conformance to customers where required.
• Lead and support non-conformance investigations, working closely with Technical and Production teams to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Champion HACCP, Food Safety Management Systems and laboratory procedures.
• Maintain the Laboratory Manual and ensure testing regimes comply with relevant legislation and COSHH requirements.
• Monitor laboratory KPIs and use data analysis and trending to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action programmes.
• Drive continuous improvement across laboratory testing procedures, documentation and systems.
• Lead sensory panel training and ensure high standards of hygiene, housekeeping and laboratory safety are maintained.

About You

You will ideally have:

• Experience leading or coordinating a laboratory team.
• Excellent communication, leadership, coaching and problem-solving skills.
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS Food Safety and HACCP.
• Knowledge of CCP validation, microbiological safety and quality management systems.
• Hands-on laboratory experience, ideally within Food Science, Microbiology, Biology or a related discipline.
• Excellent attention to detail, particularly in reporting, documentation and SOP writing.
• Experience using Microsoft Office and analysing/trending data.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.

Desirable Experience

• HNC, HND or degree in a science-related subject.
• Strong knowledge of food microbiology and food chemistry.
• Experience within the dairy or food manufacturing industry.
• Knowledge of laboratory accreditation standards.

Benefits

• Salary of £35,000 - £37,500 per annum
• 30 days' annual leave, increasing after 3 years' service
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discounted products and doorstep delivery
• Enhanced pension