At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure product quality through hands-on testing and collaboration with production teams.
- Company: Join a leading manufacturing site producing iconic drinks in East Kilbride.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, bonuses, private medical insurance, and free on-site amenities.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities across GB and Europe in a collaborative team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product excellence in a fast-paced, supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG or manufacturing, with a focus on quality assurance and microbiology.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Shift based (days and nights) – 42hr Annualised Hours (over 7 days)
Annual performance related pay bonus + Share scheme + Competitive pension contributions + Personal private medical insurance + Laundered uniform + All safety equipment provided + Subsidised canteen on-site + Free hot and cold drinks + Free parking + Excellent parental benefits
What you become part of:
East Kilbride Operations is a high performing manufacturing site producing around 20 million cases of drinks each year across six production lines, including both glass and PET formats. It is the only site in Great Britain producing Appletiser in glass, making it a unique and strategically important operation. With approximately 200 colleagues on site, the environment is collaborative, fast paced, and supportive. Joining this team offers not only exposure to a complex and quality driven manufacturing environment, but also access to broader career opportunities across other GB sites and pan European locations.
What to expect:
In this role, you will be a key member of the QESH team, acting as a quality guardian on shift and ensuring products consistently meet the highest standards. You will combine hands on laboratory expertise with strong collaboration across production teams to drive compliance, quality, and continuous improvement.
Key responsibilities include:
- Acting as the primary point of contact for quality on shift, providing expert guidance and escalation where required
- Conducting analytical, sensory and microbiological testing in a consistent, controlled, and compliant manner
- Performing detailed analysis and supporting investigations to protect product integrity and QESH standards
- Monitoring product compliance and supporting operational teams through hands on coaching, troubleshooting, and training
- Managing quality data and completing administrative tasks within the quality monitoring systems
You will also play an important role in ensuring equipment and processes are robust and reliable:
- Delivering the calibration programme to ensure all measuring equipment provides accurate and dependable results
- Supporting the implementation of the site Quality Plan and driving adherence to agreed ways of working
- Maintaining high standards of safety, hygiene, and housekeeping, demonstrating a zero accident mindset
This role offers strong involvement in continuous improvement and capability building:
- Supporting the QA Lead and wider teams to achieve quality objectives and close audit actions
- Leading or contributing to root cause investigations for non conformance and microbiological issues
- Driving GMP standards through audits, engagement with colleagues, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Writing and developing laboratory procedures and ensuring effective training and verification within the team
In addition, you will contribute to the sensory and microbiological excellence of the site:
- Conducting enhanced sensory testing to support product release and maintain high quality standards
- Participating in proficiency testing and additional testing programmes
- Managing non conformance processes on shift, including initial investigation and sharing learnings across teams
Skills & Essentials:
To be successful in this role, you will bring a blend of technical expertise, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to quality and teamwork.
- Experience working within an FMCG or manufacturing environment
- Practical understanding of Quality Assurance principles, with strong organisational and prioritisation skills
- Good working knowledge of systems, including Microsoft Office
- Microbiology knowledge or proven experience in a related field is advantageous
- HACCP qualification (Level 3 or above) is beneficial
- Experience of analytical testing and working to ISO standards
- Proven hands‑on experience with HPLC operation. Interpret chromatographic data, troubleshoot instrumentation, and ensure accurate documentation of results.
- Strong understanding of chromatographic principles, sample preparation, and data analysis software.
- Ability to work to GLP/GMP standards with meticulous attention to detail.
Eligibility to work in the UK is required. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop their career in a quality focused, high performing manufacturing environment, where their contribution has a direct impact on product excellence and customer satisfaction.
The closing date for applications is 01/06/26. We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of applications. To ensure you are considered for this role, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Lab Senior Technician Operative - Production Quality Assurance and Micro, East Kilbride employer: Coca-cola European Partners
As a Lab Senior Technician Operative at our East Kilbride site, you will join a collaborative and fast-paced environment that values quality and continuous improvement. With competitive benefits including performance-related pay, private medical insurance, and excellent parental support, we are committed to your professional growth and well-being. This unique manufacturing site not only produces iconic beverages but also offers opportunities for career advancement across various locations in Great Britain and Europe.
Contact Details:
Coca-cola European Partners Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lab Senior Technician Operative - Production Quality Assurance and Micro, East Kilbride
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at the company through LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Lab Senior Technician Operative role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge, especially around Quality Assurance principles and microbiology. Be ready to discuss how your hands-on experience aligns with the job requirements.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your teamwork skills! This role is all about collaboration, so be prepared to share examples of how you've worked effectively in teams to drive quality and compliance in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our unique East Kilbride Operations team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lab Senior Technician Operative - Production Quality Assurance and Micro, East Kilbride
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in quality assurance and laboratory work. We want to see how your skills match the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your hands-on experience with HPLC and microbiological testing!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about quality assurance and how you can contribute to our team. We love seeing enthusiasm and a proactive approach, so let that personality come through!
Showcase Your Teamwork Skills:Since collaboration is key in our fast-paced environment, make sure to mention any experiences where you’ve worked effectively in a team. We’re looking for someone who can drive compliance and support their colleagues, so share those stories!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we want to make this process as smooth as possible for you, so get your application in early!
How to prepare for a job interview at Coca-cola European Partners
✨Know Your Quality Assurance Basics
Brush up on your knowledge of Quality Assurance principles, especially in the context of FMCG and manufacturing. Be ready to discuss how you’ve applied these principles in past roles, as this will show your understanding of the importance of quality in production.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to talk about your hands-on experience with HPLC operation and your ability to interpret chromatographic data. Bring examples of how you've troubleshot instrumentation issues or ensured accurate documentation of results in previous positions.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with production teams, think of specific instances where you’ve successfully collaborated with others to drive compliance and quality. Highlight your coaching and training experiences, as well as any continuous improvement initiatives you’ve led.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, particularly around non-conformance processes and microbiological issues. Prepare to discuss how you would handle specific scenarios, including conducting investigations and implementing corrective actions.