Laboratory Manager

Laboratory Manager

Location: Tewkesbury
Salary: Competitive salary + benefits
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday
Job Type: Permanent, Full-time

Are you an experienced laboratory professional with a strong background in food safety, microbiology and quality management?

We're looking for an experienced Laboratory Manager to lead the laboratory function for a well-established food manufacturing business based in Tewkesbury.

This is a key management position, responsible for ensuring product safety, quality and regulatory compliance, whilst leading and developing a small laboratory team.

The Role

Reporting into the Technical Manager, you'll take responsibility for the day-to-day management and development of the laboratory function.

Your responsibilities will include:

Leading and coordinating the laboratory team

Managing testing and sampling schedules for raw materials, in-process materials and finished products

Ensuring testing is completed accurately and in line with required methods

Maintaining high standards of food safety, quality and compliance

Supporting site accreditation audits and maintaining audit readiness

Working with BRCGS, HACCP and Food Safety Management Systems

Managing laboratory equipment, including calibration, servicing, maintenance and installations

Coordinating external laboratory testing and analysing results

Managing non-conforming product reports and investigating failures

Maintaining laboratory hygiene, safety and documentation standards

Developing and improving laboratory procedures and testing regimes

Troubleshooting technical and operational issues

Identifying opportunities to improve testing processes and equipment

Managing, training and mentoring laboratory personnel

Driving sensory testing panel training

Monitoring and reporting technical and employee performance

Coordinating laboratory KPIs and reporting findings to senior management

Ensuring compliance with Health & Safety, COSHH, Food Safety and HACCP requirements

About You

We're looking for an experienced laboratory professional who can combine technical knowledge with strong people-management skills.

You'll ideally have:

• Previous experience working within a laboratory environment
• Experience within Food Science, Microbiology, Biology or a related discipline
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS Food Safety standards
• A good understanding of HACCP principles and Food Safety Management Systems
• Knowledge of microbiological safety and CCP validation
• Experience with root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Previous experience coordinating or managing a small team
• Excellent leadership, communication and problem-solving skills
• Strong attention to detail, particularly around reporting and documentation
• Experience writing laboratory procedures and policies
• Good Microsoft Office and QMS platform skills
• A proactive, confident and hands-on approach
• A strong understanding of food safety legislation and laboratory practices

Knowledge of the dairy industry would be advantageous.

An HNC or degree level qualification in a science-related subject would also be desirable, alongside strong knowledge of food microbiology and food chemistry.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced laboratory professional looking to take ownership of a laboratory function within an established food manufacturing environment.

You'll have the opportunity to lead a team, influence laboratory standards, improve processes and play a key role in maintaining food safety and quality across the site.