Assistant Laboratory Manager in Ballymena

Assistant Laboratory Manager - Maternity Cover (9-12months)

Dale Farm Cooperative is a UK dairy farmer co-operative owned by over 1200 dairy farmers who supply us with fresh milk.

Dale Farm has operations throughout the UK and Ireland producing and distributing a wide range of dairy products which it sells across the UK and Ireland as well as exporting to over 45 countries worldwide.

At Dale Farm virtually every career discipline is represented in our workforce, from production, engineering and distribution, to sales & marketing and food technology/quality assurance, to Finance, HR and IT through to general management.

Our standards are high and when we recruit we are looking for those with energy and drive, who are keen for responsibility and motivated to succeed with a record of achievement and with the potential to develop as the company grows.

Culture

Our culture is based on setting best in class standards, working to-wards and delivering on committed objectives, striving for constant improvement and involving everyone in the company.

We strive to develop our people and harness everyone's contribution to deliver a winning team.

The company is an Equal Opportunities employer and is committed to a safe, inclusive and relationship based workspace.

In return, we offer a high degree of responsibility, plenty of challenge, good opportunities for learning and personal development and rewarding benefit packages, all within a fast moving and results oriented environment.

• The Job Role
• Assistant Laboratory Manager

As part of a dedicated central laboratory team, working within modern purpose-built facilities, the Assistant Laboratory Manager will be responsible for assisting in leading a group of analysts and technicians who perform testing within the laboratories at the Group Technical Centre.

You will be responsible for people management, collaborating with the various group stakeholders to understand testing needs and define testing plans.

You will provide work direction to analysts and technicians, and guide on work priorities, review data and generate and review reports, and will lead on lab improvement projects.

• Specifically, key responsibilities , will include, but are not limited to:
• The management of lab metrics to ensure targets are met, maintained with focus on continual improvement.
• The management of both laboratories day-to-day operations in line with food, health and safety and implement relevant regulatory changes.
• Management of the LIMS system.
• Lead lab improvement projects with a focus on laboratory research, development, and operational efficiency.
• Management of laboratory budget (consumables, labour, and processes)
• Introduce a series of improvement objectives (PIPs) that delivery benefits to the laboratory budget.
• Responsible for the maintenance of UKAS and CLAS/RSA Accreditations and development of these schemes.
• Maintain and review of laboratory manuals/procedures/documentation for relevance and compliance.
• Coordinate internal audits for the laboratories as required by their quality schemes and liaise with associated accreditation bodies.
• Responsible for the collation of all data required for management reports.
• Ensure all results generated from the laboratories are reported correctly.
• Carry out research into new techniques and procedures.
• Operate, evaluate, install, and train staff on new equipment and systems.
• Co-ordinate the review of all results for Dale Farm Co-operative Ltd members and assess prior to release for payment.
• Control laboratory proficiency schemes.
• Liaise with laboratory customers and external bodies.
• Maintain a training programme for staff development which covers all roles within the laboratory environment.
• People management and training - develop staff to take ownership of their responsibilities, address poor performance and encourage team working to build a fully trained and flexible workforce.
• Management of the shift patterns, budget, overtime, coordinating of staff rotas and allocation of annual leave.
• The Experience Required

The ideal applicate should be third level educated, with an applied science degree preferably in food science or a related discipline, and have at least 3 years laboratory experience acquired through employment in a laboratory setting, and will have managed and lead a team, with a proven track record of developing process improvements.

The Person

You will

• have strong communication and interpersonal skills and be able to clearly demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate professionally to a range of internal and external stakeholders and possess the desire to work with the team to drive forward success.
• be flexible to work, to fulfil the role requirements, and have good timekeeping skills.
• have demonstrative experience of effective leadership skills, with the ability to work on your own initiative or as part of a team.
• be forward thinking, innovative, with good attention to detail and organisational skills.
• be self-motivated, results orientated, and have the drive and flexibility to succeed in a fast-paced environment and can work well under pressure.
• have a strong technical skill set and have a track record of delivery against quality/food safety requirements.

In return, the successful candidate can embark on this excellent opportunity for both career and personal development.

The company also provides an excellent benefits package including competitive salary, pension and life assurance.

• We promote an open and supportive culture which is based on our core values
• Teamwork Positivity Resolve Ambition Curiosity Accountability
• The closing date for applications is
• 5pm on
• Thursday
• 6 th August 2026
• We are an Equal Opportunities employer

Only applications from EU Nationals or those with a valid permit to work in the UK will be accepted.

No unsolicited CVs from Agencies please.