At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic lab team ensuring food safety and quality through testing and improvement activities.
- Company: Join a leading soft drinks company committed to quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, annual bonuses, and perks like free drinks and discounts.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusion and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food safety while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in quality assurance and laboratory testing, especially in the food industry.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About the Opportunity
We are looking for a Laboratory Team Leader to join our Ross-on-Wye site, working 6am - 4pm Monday - Thursday. The Laboratory Team Leader is responsible for the smooth and efficient running of the Quality Assurance Laboratory, inclusive of chemical, physical and microbiological testing functions. The role involves working closely with the Quality Manager to ensure that product standards are consistently met with respect to food safety and quality parameters, including complaint handling and investigation and ensuring operational compliance of new and existing product formulations. You will support the quality agenda through the development and implementation of improvement activities with the delivery of key performance indicators.
Role Responsibilities
- Conducting and ensuring day to day laboratory testing is completed in a timely manner
- Provide or arrange shift cover where appropriate to cover holidays and absences
- Analytical and microbiological testing
- Manage and own the sensory assessment programme for the site
- Maintain laboratory batch trending to ensure accuracy to specification
- Coordinating customer complaint investigations amongst the QA team
- Implement product changes to the site, whilst creating an effective relationship between NPI and production
- QMS, H&H, Glass & brittle material audits; participate in internal auditing as necessary
- Ensuring calibration log is kept updated and non conformances are escalated
- Laboratory stock take and ordering as well as good laboratory stock rotation
- Escalation of out of specification results and reporting as necessary
- Ensure all non conforming stock is suitably labelled and isolated
- Training of QA Technicians including proficiency testing
- Work in conjunction with the Quality manager to assess positive microbiological trends and remedy these
- Laboratory COSHH management - coordinating COSHH assessments of all laboratory chemicals
- Participation in HACCP as part of the HACCP team
- Ensure product specifications, MMIs & visual standards are suitably maintained
- Frequent communication with R&D and production to facilitate continuous improvements in formulations
- Conduct one to one discussions with analysts; participate in objective settings with the Quality Manager
About You
To make a splash in this role you will bring:
- Relevant quality experience in the soft drinks industry
- Laboratory testing experience - analytical and microbiological
- Sound working knowledge of HACCP & food safety
- Auditing experience
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent testing methodology knowledge
- An understanding of principles of preservation and process requirements to achieve and sustain product integrity
- Understanding of ingredient interactions, methods, and order of additions for product make up
- Good organisation skills: able to prioritise work and communicate with team and at all levels within the business and externally as required
- Self motivation and a proactive approach to problem solving
- Being a role model for a culture of continuous improvement, seeking opportunities with a cross functional team approach wherever possible
- Experience of coaching and supporting QA Technicians
- Ability to remain calm under pressure to pass batches including batch additions
Benefits
- 25 days holiday (with opportunity to buy extra every year)
- Annual Bonus
- Save as You Earn Share Scheme
- Option to join our private medical cover scheme
- Enhanced Primary Carers leave and sick pay
- Perks
- Holiday home stay
- Your birthday off work
- Free on site parking
- 1 day a year off work to volunteer in the community (you choose when and where)
- Help yourself to our drinks when at one of our sites
- Staff shop with discounts on our products
We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We believe diverse teams perform at their best, and we welcome people with different backgrounds, life experiences, perspectives and ways of thinking.
Any job offer is subject to an individual's Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor visas.
QA Laboratory Lead – Food Safety & Continuous Improvement employer: Job Search Place Limited
Join our dynamic team at the Ross-on-Wye site, where we prioritise a culture of continuous improvement and employee development. As a Laboratory Team Leader, you will benefit from a supportive work environment that values diversity and offers generous perks such as 25 days holiday, an annual bonus, and opportunities for community volunteering. With a focus on food safety and quality, this role not only allows you to lead a dedicated team but also provides avenues for personal growth and professional advancement in the thriving soft drinks industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land QA Laboratory Lead – Food Safety & Continuous Improvement
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the food safety and QA industry on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups and engage in discussions. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect Laboratory Team Leader role!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of HACCP and food safety standards. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. We want to see your problem-solving skills in action!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! If you’ve led teams or projects, be sure to highlight those experiences. Talk about how you’ve motivated others and driven continuous improvement in your past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace QA Laboratory Lead – Food Safety & Continuous Improvement
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Laboratory Team Leader. Highlight your relevant experience in quality assurance and laboratory testing, especially in the soft drinks industry. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about food safety and continuous improvement. Share specific examples of how you've contributed to quality standards in previous roles. We love a good story!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Effective written communication is key for this role. Make sure your application is clear, concise, and free of jargon. We appreciate straightforward language that gets to the point, so let your personality come through!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts and submit your materials!
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of HACCP, food safety, and laboratory testing methodologies. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your expertise in these areas.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Laboratory Team Leader, you'll need to show that you can manage a team effectively. Prepare to talk about your experience in coaching and supporting QA Technicians, and how you've fostered a culture of continuous improvement in previous roles.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to quality assurance and complaint handling. Think through how you would approach these scenarios, focusing on problem-solving and communication with cross-functional teams.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the company's quality agenda and how they implement continuous improvement activities. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand if the company aligns with your values.
