At a Glance
- Tasks: Support laboratory operations by managing samples and ensuring accurate documentation.
- Company: Join Nutreco, a global leader in sustainable nutrition solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, training opportunities, and a flexible part-time schedule.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with growth potential in laboratory and quality fields.
- Why this job: Gain practical lab experience while contributing to innovative nutrition solutions.
- Qualifications: Detail-oriented with basic Excel skills; no prior lab experience required.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
Why join us At Nutreco, our purpose is Feeding the Future through sustainable and innovative nutrition solutions. As part of the SHV family, we operate globally through our two business lines, Trouw Nutrition and Skretting, supporting customers to produce food responsibly and sustainably.
This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a practical laboratory environment and is interested in sample handling, traceability, quality processes and laboratory operations. The role is ideal for an early-career candidate, recent graduate or someone with experience who is looking for a flexible part-time position.
You will support the day-to-day running of the Laboratory by helping ensure that samples, records and laboratory processes are handled accurately, efficiently and in line with required standards.
What you’ll do
- Support sample administration, laboratory coordination and wider operational activities, working closely with Laboratory and Quality colleagues.
- Register, label and track samples accurately to ensure correct documentation and traceability.
- Check sample paperwork, labelling and flow through the Laboratory.
- Maintain worksheets, records and relevant information in Excel, Microsoft Office and, where applicable, LIMS.
- Support the processing of analytical results and associated documentation.
- Assist with laboratory equipment mapping and serial-number records.
- Contribute to laboratory projects, innovation activities and improvement initiatives.
- Support selected laboratory analysis activities following training.
- Provide cover for colleagues when needed.
- Maintain an organised work area and follow relevant laboratory and quality procedures.
This is a practical, site-based role with opportunities to develop over time, depending on your interests and the needs of the Laboratory team.
Who we’re looking for
We are looking for someone who enjoys structured, accurate work and is keen to learn in a practical laboratory environment. You may be a recent graduate, an early-career professional or someone with previous experience in a laboratory, quality, manufacturing, food, feed, FMCG or other regulated environment.
You’ll also need:
- Good communication skills and the ability to work well with Laboratory and Quality colleagues.
- Basic Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
- Comfortable working in a busy, site-based environment.
- Willingness to learn new systems and processes.
- Interest in developing your laboratory, quality or technical skills over time.
- Soft skills like strong attention to detail, a methodical and organised approach to handling records, labels and documentation accurately, and a proactive, curious and reliable mindset.
Previous experience with sample registration, traceability, laboratory systems, quality documentation or basic laboratory analysis would be beneficial, but is not essential. Full training will be provided.
Location & Details
Location: Ashbourne, UK
Work model: Fully site-based
Contract: Part-time (20 hours per week)
Working hours: Monday to Friday, typically 4 hours per day, with some flexibility around the daily working pattern.
What you’ll receive
- 25 days of holiday per year on a pro-rata basis, plus 8 UK bank holidays.
- Training and development opportunities within Laboratory and Quality.
- Exposure to laboratory systems, sample processes and site operations.
- The opportunity to develop practical technical skills within a global organisation.
- A collaborative, supportive and hands-on working environment.
This is an opportunity to build practical laboratory experience while helping ensure the accuracy, traceability and smooth flow of samples across our site. If you are detail-oriented, curious and interested in developing within a laboratory or quality environment, we would love to hear from you.
We aim to review applications promptly and will get back to you as soon as possible. For more information, please contact Luisa Ligabo at luisa.ligabo@nutreco.com.
Laboratory Support Administrator employer: Nutreco
At Nutreco, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a collaborative and supportive work culture in Ashbourne. As a Laboratory Support Administrator, you will benefit from flexible part-time hours, comprehensive training, and opportunities for personal and professional growth within a global leader in sustainable nutrition solutions. Join us to develop your practical skills in a hands-on laboratory environment while contributing to our mission of Feeding the Future.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Laboratory Support Administrator
✨Get Involved with Local Food Networks
Dive into local food science events, workshops, or meetups in your area. Places like farmers' markets or food innovation labs are great for connecting with professionals in the field and learning about part-time opportunities. Who knows, you might even stumble upon a gem like Nutreco!
✨Leverage University Resources
If you’re currently studying, tap into your university’s career services for part-time roles specifically in food science. They often have connections with local businesses looking for interns or part-timers, and they can point you towards seasonal hiring periods when companies like Nutreco are on the lookout for fresh talent!
✨Show Off Your Skills Online
Consider creating a blog or a social media account dedicated to food science and technology. Share your experiments, recipes or insights—this not only showcases your passion but serves as your portfolio when applying for part-time gigs. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter!
✨Think Outside the Box
Look for part-time roles beyond the usual suspects. Food tech start-ups, food safety organisations, or even NGOs focused on nutrition might offer flexible positions that fit your schedule. And don’t forget to regularly check the careers page of Nutreco directly for any part-time openings!
We think you need these skills to ace Laboratory Support Administrator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills in Your CV:When applying for a part-time role in food science and technology, make sure to highlight relevant skills like lab techniques, food safety knowledge, and any experience with quality control methods. It’s handy to include any specific coursework or projects that relate directly to this field. The more relevant skills you showcase, the better your chances of standing out!
Tailor Your Cover Letter with Passion:In your cover letter, share why you are passionate about food science and how this part-time role at Nutreco fits into your career goals. We love to see enthusiasm, so mention any relevant experiences, like internships, workshops, or even personal projects, that have sparked your interest in this area. Let them know that you’re eager to learn and grow!
Quick References to Your Projects or Experiences:If you’ve worked on any specific projects, whether in university or during internships, give them a shout-out! Include links or a brief description in your CV or cover letter. This could be anything from research papers you've co-authored to experiments you've conducted. It’s a great way to demonstrate your hands-on experience in food science!
Don’t Forget Certifications!:If you’ve got any certifications relevant to food science, like HACCP or food safety training, make sure to pop those on your CV. These not only bolster your application but also show that you’re serious about the industry. If you don’t have any yet, consider starting one soon—it may even make your application more competitive for part-time gigs like the one at Nutreco.
How to prepare for a job interview at Nutreco
✨Show Off Your Lab Skills
Make sure you're ready to talk about your practical lab experience. You might be asked about specific techniques or tools you've used in food science, like chromatography or sensory evaluation. We want to see that you’ve got hands-on skills, so bring examples or even a portfolio if you've worked on interesting projects!
✨Think on Your Feet with Scenarios
In the food science field, you might get hypothetical scenarios during the interview. Be prepared for questions like how you’d handle a food safety issue or optimise a product's flavour profile. Practising these types of questions can help us demonstrate our problem-solving abilities and analytical thinking.
✨Highlight Your Passion for Food Innovation
Since it’s a part-time role, let’s emphasise your enthusiasm for food technology and innovation. Share any personal projects or experiences that show your commitment to the field. This can help us connect with the interviewers at Nutreco and showcase our motivation beyond just technical skills!
✨Network with Your Peers
Connecting with others in the food science community can give us insights into what's hot in the industry. We can also gather tips from peers about Nutreco and what they might be looking for in a candidate. It’s all about making those connections and getting the inside scoop to set us apart!
