At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a lab team to ensure top-notch quality in beverage production.
- Company: Join Refresco, the largest independent bottler of soft drinks and juices.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 10% annual bonus, 28 days holiday, and access to health support.
- Other info: Foster a positive team culture focused on safety and efficiency.
- Why this job: Shape quality systems and drive innovation in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in quality food production or 3 years in a lab setting.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We’re Refresco – the world’s largest independent bottler of soft drinks and fruit juices, serving major brands and retailers across Europe and North America.
At our flagship Bridgwater site, we produce millions of litres of beverages each week, and we’re looking for a Lab Manager to lead our on-site laboratory to the highest industry standards.
This is not your average quality role.
It’s a unique opportunity to shape, influence, and drive quality systems and lab operations on a massive scale, while ensuring compliance, performance, and continuous improvement.
- Lab Manager
- Permanent
- Refresco - Bridgwater
- Monday – Friday 38 hours
Benefits
- 10% annual bonus
- An enhanced holiday allowance of 28 days plus bank holidays
- Purchase extra holiday (up to 3 days per year)
- Life assurance
- Access to a 24/7 virtual GP for you and your family
- Access to our brand new employee benefits platform offering discounts, cashback rewards, and access to more optional benefits
- Access to Grocery Aid – for free financial, personal, health and wellbeing support
The role
Managing a team of 10 quality analysts to support the factory’s testing requirements, ensuring the highest quality standards are met.
- Oversee the smooth running of daily lab operations, ensuring timely, compliant testing in line with Lab CRED (ISO17025-based) standards.
- Champion quality and continuous improvement by managing QMS activities (CAPAs, audits, NCs) and driving a strong quality culture.
- Lead equipment calibration, servicing, and validation methods while ensuring prompt repairs and minimal disruption.
- Manage the lab budget, procurement, and stock control to ensure full lab and factory support.
- Ensure all testing, documentation, and raw material checks meet regulatory and customer standards.
- Develop and maintain training plans, SOPs, risk assessments, and clear data reporting for internal and external stakeholders.
- Foster a positive, proactive team environment focused on safety, innovation, and efficiency.
About you
We’re looking for someone with at least two years of experience in a quality-focused food production role or three years in a laboratory environment.
You’ll bring a positive, can‑do attitude, strong problem‑solving skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast‑paced setting.
Naturally curious and eager to learn, you’ll enjoy improving processes and exploring new ways of working.
You’ll also be someone who brings people together, builds strong team relationships, and lives the Refresco values in everything you do.
Ultimately, we encourage everyone to role model our core values of agility, responsibility, passion, excellence, and entrepreneurship as we believe these are what has made Refresco successful so far.
Refresco believes that equal opportunity for allis fundamental to our company's values and all our applicants can expect fairness and transparency in our recruitment process.
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Lab Manager in Bridgwater employer: Refresco Iberia SA
Refresco is an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture in Bridgwater, Somerset. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring that our team members can thrive in their roles while contributing to meaningful quality improvements in the FMCG sector. Our commitment to safety and quality standards not only enhances job satisfaction but also empowers employees to take pride in their contributions to producing top-notch products.
