Laboratory Technician

Laboratory Technician – Beauty & Personal Care

Location: Milton Keynes
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Type: 1 year Maternity cover contract – Full or Part time

About the Company

Our client is a global leader in the distribution and formulation of speciality chemicals and ingredients, working with leading manufacturers and customers across a wide range of industries. With operations in more than 60 countries and a growing network of technical centres and laboratories, the business combines specialist technical expertise with market knowledge to develop innovative solutions for its customers.

The UK operation has a strong technical focus, with specialist laboratories in Milton Keynes supporting areas including Beauty & Personal Care, Hair Care, Home Care and Food & Nutrition.

About the Role

We are recruiting for a Laboratory Technician to join a growing technical team within the Beauty & Personal Care and Home Care division. Based in a modern laboratory in Milton Keynes, you will provide essential technical and practical support to the Development Chemist and wider technical team.

The laboratory focuses on the development of example formulations, technical support, supplier raw materials and customer-focused projects.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a scientific or laboratory background who is highly organised, hands-on and keen to develop their knowledge within the cosmetics and personal care industry.

Key Responsibilities

To ensure that all assigned work is delivered in a timely manner and that all associated requirements, objectives, and targets are fully met.

• To maintain general good housekeeping of the laboratory and associated areas including clearing beakers, raw materials, parcels, recycling and packaging.

• Assist with validation, maintenance and calibration of any equipment used in the lab.

• Filling finished cosmetic samples for customers.

• Filling, labelling and preparing paperwork for stability samples.

• Organising and sending out formulation samples.

• Stability testing (full training will be provided) and reporting results back to Development Chemist/Technical Manager

• Dia-stron Hair tress testing (full training will be provided). This will include running reports and preparing graphs in Excel/specific software.

• Order raw material samples and packaging, and manage to ensure prompt delivery

• Monitoring stock levels throughout the lab and office space and reordering consumables when necessary.

• The role would require working 5 days a week in the lab.

• There is also the potential for the candidate to develop their knowledge in the cosmetic industry by receiving training in producing cosmetic formulations.

About You

We are looking for someone who is:

• Ideally educated to a scientific or laboratory-based level, although this is not essential.
• Experienced in a laboratory environment or keen to develop a career in laboratory work.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
• Able to manage priorities and work effectively to tight deadlines.
• Practical, hands-on and willing to get involved with a wide range of laboratory activities.
• A confident problem solver with a proactive approach to challenges.
• Able to work independently while also contributing effectively as part of a technical team.
• Reliable, persistent and able to use initiative.
• Comfortable working with Excel and learning specialist laboratory software.
• Interested in developing knowledge of cosmetic formulations, raw materials and the personal care industry.

Previous experience within cosmetics, personal care, speciality chemicals or a general laboratory environment would be advantageous, but full training will be provided for the right candidate.

What’s on Offer?

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a growing technical team and gain valuable experience within the Beauty & Personal Care industry.

You will receive training in specialist testing techniques, stability testing and, with experience, there will be opportunities to develop your knowledge of cosmetic formulation and product development.

If you are a motivated laboratory professional looking for your next opportunity, or someone with a strong scientific background looking to establish a career within the cosmetics and personal care sector, we would love to hear from you.