Lab Team Leader / Assistant Quality Manager

We're Nichols - the home of Vimto, and there is no other business quite like ours! We have been making life taste better since 1908. Every day here is bursting with flavour – from the loved brands we’re proud to share with the world, to the energy, ambition and innovative ideas that fizz through our teams. Our varied brand portfolio spans the still, carbonated, post‑mix and frozen drinks categories – so you will find us in your local supermarket, pub and leisure outlet. We also work with the UK’s leading food manufacturers to provide a truly unique range of products that everyone loves. At the heart of everything is our rich family heritage, an unrelenting ambition to keep innovating, and a true pride in who we are. This is a place where you can be yourself, speak up, and get stuck in. We celebrate the wins, cheer each other on and keep things fizzing with positivity. From leaders who listen to teammates who’ve always got your back, its work that feels as good as it tastes!

Our Ross-on-Wye site is the heart of production, the home of our post‑mix, juices and slushes for Out of Home customers. Our factory is a key ingredient in the Nichols recipe for success — helping us stay innovative, adaptable, and ready to serve up what our customers crave. Nichols is where serious fun meets real opportunities – and where work tastes better.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

We are looking for an Assistant Quality Manager to join our Ross-on-Wye site, working 6am - 4pm Monday - Thursday. The Assistant Quality Manager is responsible for the smooth & efficient running of the Quality Assurance Laboratory, inclusive of chemical, physical & 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 & investigation and ensuring operational compliance of new & existing product formulations. You will support the quality agenda through the development and implementation of improvement activities with the delivery of key performance indicators.

THE ROLE WILL INCLUDE:

• Conducting & ensuring day to day laboratory testing is completed in a timely manner
• Provide or organise shift cover where appropriate to cover holidays and absences.
• Analytical & microbiological testing
• Manage and own the sensory assessment programme for site
• Maintain laboratory batch trending to ensure accuracy to specification
• Coordinating customer complaint investigations amongst the QA Team
• Implement product changes to 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 & 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 OF WORKING WITH US

No matter where you work in our business you will be entitled to a range of amazing benefits, here is a snapshot of what we can offer you:

• 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

AND LET’S NOT FORGET THE PERKS

We are also proud to offer:

• 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

Apply now if you want a taste of a new career and join Nichols - Where work tastes better. 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. Our standard recruitment process for short‑listed candidates typically includes an initial call with our Talent Advisor, followed by a face to face interview with the hiring manager. If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process please feel free to contact us. Any job offer is subject to an individual’s Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor visas.