Lab Specialist in Peterborough

The Lab Specialist will support the QA Manager in laboratory operations and ensuring the smooth daily running of the Quality Department. This role is responsible for delivering reliable laboratory services to support factory operations and achieve overall business objectives.

What you'll be doing:

• Lab Operations (85%)
  • Perform routine laboratory housekeeping and maintain a clean, organized, and safe working environment.
  • Receive, label, and accurately log samples into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
  • Conduct sample preparation, including weighing, and grinding of various sample types (e.g., customer feed samples) using laboratory mills and other equipment.
  • Prepare buffers, reagents, and solutions required for analytical testing in accordance with SOPs.
  • Perform routine laboratory analyses such as ELISA, NIR, and other physical tests within specified turnaround times.
  • Collect, record, and input analytical data (e.g., pH measurements, spectrophotometer readings including ELISA reader and NIR instruments) into relevant systems.
  • Develop and manage daily, weekly, and monthly testing schedules to ensure timely issuance of test reports and adherence to lead times.
  • Ensure all laboratory activities comply with applicable quality standards, work instructions (WI), and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
  • Adhere strictly to laboratory safety protocols and safe handling procedures.
  • Conduct routine calibration, verification, and regular inspection working condition, maintenance of laboratory equipment and instruments.
  • Coordinate internal and external sample testing, ensuring samples are dispatched promptly and reports are tracked and filed appropriately.
  • Manage retention samples, ensuring proper labeling, storage, and retention in accordance with specified requirements.
  • Maintain inventory of laboratory supplies and reagents; monitor stock levels and initiate procurement as needed.
  • Support the QA Manager with daily administrative tasks, including shipping, receiving, and documentation management when needed.
• Quality Control of Manufacturing Process (10%)
  • Incoming raw material quality control - Perform quality inspections and testing of incoming raw materials to support release decisions for production use.
  • Monitor the quality condition of raw materials during warehouse storage to ensure compliance with quality standards included shelf life management.
  • Ensure all materials in quarantine and holding warehouses are properly identified, segregated, and controlled to prevent unauthorized use.
  • Evaluate samples of new raw materials as part of the supplier approval process to determine suitability for production and compliance with customer requirements.
  • In-process control - Monitor production processes in accordance with approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure smooth operations and compliance with quality and feed safety standards.
  • Oversee finished goods label control, ensuring label approvals and verification checks are accurately performed by production personnel prior to product release.
  • Implement and manage cross-contamination control measures, including production sequencing and cleaning verification, to minimize carryover risks.
  • Finished goods quality control - Perform quality inspections and testing of finished goods to support product release decisions and ensure compliance with established specifications.
  • Ensure all finished goods in quarantine and holding areas are properly identified, segregated, and controlled to prevent unauthorized distribution.
  • Conduct root cause analysis and investigations for product non-conformities, test failures, or customer complaints, and support implementation of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Others (5%)
  • Other relevant tasks which direct by QA Manager when needed.

What you'll bring:

• Minimum 3 years of experience working as a Laboratory Technician or Specialist within the animal feed industry or a related manufacturing sector.
• Proven experience in operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting laboratory instruments and analytical equipment.
• Hands-on experience in one or more of the following analytical techniques: Enzyme activity assays; ELISA testing.
• Practical experience working in a scientific laboratory environment, including: Handling a variety of chemical agents; Preparing reagents, solutions, and buffer systems; Applying correct manual handling and laboratory safety procedures; Safe handling and disposal of hazardous chemicals in compliance with laboratory safety standards.
• Good understanding of the agricultural and/or feed enzyme industry.
• Experience in calibration, operational checks, and routine maintenance of laboratory equipment, including but not limited to: Pipettes and multi-channel pipettes; pH meters; Laboratory mills; Spectrophotometers.
• Fluent in Vietnamese and English both written and verbal.
• Hands-on experience in NIR (Near-Infrared) technology.
• Understanding raw material characters - key requirement of raw materials for mixing process.
• Understanding premix characters - key requirement for Premix - customer concerns/ requirement.
• Understanding of manufacturing process in animal feed/ pet food – premix/ compound feed or relevant product.
• Understanding, identification and control the feed safety hazards in raw material, feed production environment and feed products.