Laboratory Technician in Stockport

My clients are a very well-established manufacturing company based in Tameside. We are now recruiting for a Lab/Colour Technician based at the site in Stockport.

Main Purpose of the Role

The Colour Technician supports the control, approval, and correction of colour on textile substrates, acting as a practical link between the laboratory and production.

The role is focused on the hands-on assessment of colour samples on fabrics, carrying out shade corrections where required, and making clear pass/fail decisions against approved standards and agreed tolerances.

40 hours per week – 07:30 – 16:30 Monday to Friday.

£14.16 per hour start

Main Responsibilities and Duties

• Colour Assessment on Textiles - Assess coated and uncoated textile samples visually and instrumentally against approved standards, master swatches, and customer requirements.
• Pass/Fail Decision Making - Decide whether a colour sample is acceptable for production or requires correction, based on agreed tolerances, visual appearance.
• Shade Correction - Carry out colour corrections where a sample is outside tolerance or visually unacceptable and prepare adjusted formulations or recommendations for rework.
• Production and Laboratory Link - Act as the day-to-day connection between production and laboratory functions, ensuring colour requirements, test outcomes, and corrective actions are clearly understood and implemented.
• Failure Escalation and Reporting - Report colour failures, repeat issues, and unusual findings promptly to the Laboratory Colourist, Laboratory Assistant Manager, and Laboratory Manager, with clear notes on observations.
• Works Order Preparation - Prepare and check works orders and related documentation, including confirmation of quantities required for production and timely communication of any changes.
• Sample Preparation and Handling - Prepare, label, handle, and retain textile samples for approvals, comparisons, investigations, and production reference.
• Instrumental and Visual Evaluation - Use appropriate colour measurement equipment and light cabinets to assess shade accuracy, whilst also applying visual judgement on appearance, tone and coverage of coating.
• Documentation and Record Keeping - Maintain accurate records of colour assessments, corrections, approvals, failures, and comments so that decisions are traceable and easy to review.
• Technical Support to Production - Support production teams with colour-related queries, trial evaluations, and practical feedback where shade, appearance, or application issues are identified.
• Raw Material Delivery & Pre-Delivery Checks – Carry out delivery and pre-delivery checks on raw materials, including textiles, chemicals and pigments, to confirm compliance with required specifications before approval for laboratory or production use.
• Housekeeping and Stock Awareness - Maintain an organised work area and monitor the availability of swatches, standards, and essential consumables.
• Colour Knowledge - Good understanding of colour matching, shade assessment, and colour correction in a textile, coatings, paint, or similar.
• Hands-on Testing Experience - Practical experience working directly with colour samples, textile substrates, and laboratory or production testing.
• Decision Making - Ability to make clear, consistent pass/fail decisions on colour samples.
• Communication Skills - Able to communicate findings clearly and professionally to production staff and laboratory management.
• Attention to Detail.
• Technical Awareness - Familiarity with visual and instrumental colour evaluation, including the use of spectrophotometers and light booths.
• Organisation - Able to manage multiple samples, priorities, and deadlines while maintaining traceability and good record keeping.
• IT Skills - Competent in Microsoft Excel and Word, with the ability to update spreadsheets, records, and basic technical reports.
• Teamwork - Comfortable working closely with laboratory, production, and technical colleagues while also taking ownership of day-to-day tasks.
• Compliance - Able to follow laboratory procedures, quality requirements, and safety standards consistently.
• Industry Background - Experience in textiles, coated fabrics, blinds, paints, coatings, or other colour-controlled manufacturing environments.
• Relevant Qualification - Qualification or training in textile technology, colour chemistry, textile coating or a related discipline.
• Systems Knowledge - Recognition of X-Rite spectrophotometer systems and familiarity with colour software such as Color i Control or similar platforms.
• Process Understanding - Awareness of textile coating, pigment application, or related production processes.
• Auto enrolled into our Stakeholder Pension Scheme (Louvolite contributes 4%).
• 28 days holiday (including statutory), rising by one day after one completed year of service
• Life Assurance covering 1 x your annual salary.
• 3 month Probationary Period
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme, offering counselling support, legal guidance, and medical advice from qualified nurses, for you and your immediate family.
• Mental Health First Aiders available to provide support and guidance.
• Access to discounted gym membership through our corporate partner, Active Tameside.
• Discounted Blinds and Shutters, upon successful completion of your Probationary Period.
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