Laboratory Administrator (Sample Receipt)

Location: McQuillan Environmental, Antrim

Responsible to: Laboratory Technical Supervisor

Contract type: Part-Time/Full-time, permanent

Salary: Competitive

Why work for McQuillan Companies?

McQuillan Companies, a family-run business in Northern Ireland, offers a diverse range of services including roadworks, civil engineering, demolition, quarrying, waste management, outdoor cleaning, and analytical chemistry. We value all perspectives and create a supportive space where people thrive.

McQuillan Environmental is one of Northern Ireland's leading waste management companies, providing recycling and hazardous waste management to the region's leading companies throughout GB & ROI. We ensure that Sustainability is at the core of our waste management practices and as we move into the Circular Economy, we offer tailored solutions to support all our customers' Corporate Social Responsibility requirements.

Our UKAS 17025 accredited laboratory provides testing, monitoring and waste consultancy services to a wide range of industrial companies, environmental consultants, contractors, retailers and government authorities throughout Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and UK. Our services comprise testing of waste water, trade effluents, groundwater, surface water, landfill leachate, soil, waste and other products to assess their quality, impact on the environment and waste classification.

We offer a range of benefits including:

• Competitive salaries
• An employee health scheme
• Employee private healthcare
• An excellent employee pension scheme
• 31 days of annual leave, increased in line with years of service milestones
• Working as a part of a dynamic group of professionals who excel at maintaining regulatory standards while fostering a supportive and welcoming environment
• Excellent development, learning and training opportunities
• Participation in a range of team building activities

Overall objectives

We seek to appoint a Laboratory Administrator to join our busy and expanding team within McQuillan Environmental. This role will require someone with a 'can do' attitude, a commercial approach and demonstrable attention to detail. The successful candidate will report to the Laboratory Technical Supervisor and must be hardworking, reliable, and possess excellent communication & interpersonal skills.

Key responsibilities:

• Booking in samples for analysis using our Laboratory Information System (LIMS) system
• Supporting both internal and external customers ensuring all administration duties relating to technical projects are delivered in an accurate and timely manner
• Management of relevant mailboxes to ensure all customer queries are dealt with promptly
• Liaising with clients to ensure correct contract requirements, to include advising customers on required sample container types and quantities for specific analytical parameters and organise their provision
• Liaising with clients to ensure correct technical contract requirements are met (e.g. Limits of Detection, specific testing analysis, sample stability)
• Approve, publish and distribute accredited analytical reports
• Manage laboratory logistics, including McQuillan drivers daily, weekly and monthly schedules, external courier services, and subcontracted laboratory couriers
• Prepare samples to be dispatched to subcontracted laboratories with appropriate paperwork
• Make purchase orders for third party services
• Write up and distribute laboratory meeting minutes and agendas
• Be responsible for ensuring that all work is performed in accordance with McQuillan Environmental quality policies and procedures and are in accordance with the appropriate regulatory guidelines
• Meet and maintain quality objectives as set by UKAS

Essential Criteria:

• Minimum GSCE grade A-C (English & Maths)
• 2 years previous experience in a busy office environment, in a customer facing role with call handling responsibilities
• Competent in the use of computer software including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.)
• Must be flexible to take on additional tasks to assist company needs, including weekend work
• Ability to multi-task, prioritise and plan to meet tight deadlines to achieve required targets
• Proactive with independent working skills
• Team player

Desirable criteria:

• A full, clean driving license
• Background in Environmental Science/Waste Management
• LIMS experience
• Minimum GSCE grade A-C (Science)

Closing date for applications is Friday 11th September 2026. This job description should not be regarded as conclusive or definite. It is a guideline within which the individual jobholder works. It is not intended to be rigid or inflexible and may alter as the Company's strategic direction changes.

Skills:

• Excellent communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Excellent time management
• Organisational skills
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Pro-Active approach
• Good Report writing skills

Benefits:

• Competitive salaries
• An employee health scheme
• An excellent employee pension scheme
• 31 days of annual leave
• Service milestones
• L&D opportunities