At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of quality analysts to ensure top-notch beverage testing and compliance.
- Company: Refresco is the world's largest independent bottler of soft drinks and fruit juices.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 10% annual bonus, enhanced holiday allowance, and access to a virtual GP.
- Other info: Join a global leader with over 13,500 employees and a commitment to innovation.
- Why this job: Shape quality systems in a dynamic environment while fostering a positive team culture.
- Qualifications: Two years in quality-focused food production or three years in a lab setting required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ 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.
Permanent
Refresco - Bridgwater
Monday – Friday 38 hours
- 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 LabCRED (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.
Find out more about the Refresco Values here: https://www.refresco.co.uk/uk/about/our-values
About Refresco:
Refresco is the global independent beverage solutions provider for Global, National and Emerging brands, and retailers with production in Europe, North America, and Australia.
Refresco offers an extensive range of product and packaging combinations from juices to carbonated soft drinks and mineral waters in carton, PET, Aseptic PET, cans, and glass.
Refresco continuously searches for new and alternative ways to improve the quality of its products and packaging combinations in line with consumer and customer demand, environmental responsibilities, and market demand.
Refresco is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and has more than 13,500 employees. www.refresco.com.
Our drinks on every table. That's the Refresco vision. We’re a global business and currently produce 12 billion litres of soft drinks from 64 manufacturing plants in 12 countries and we’re only just getting started.
We’re the proud owners of six drinks manufacturing sites within the UK. Our UK business provides a great place to work for over 1,800 employees, who produce private label soft drinks and fruit juices for all the leading retailers.
Whether it’s packed in cartons, bottles or cans, we ensure that our products are made to the highest quality standards. Our products get where they need to be when they need to get there to meet the needs of our high-profile customers.
Refresco believes that equal opportunity for all is 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
Refresco Pontefract is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment where employees can thrive in their roles as Advanced Production Team Operatives. With a strong commitment to sustainability, competitive benefits including premium overtime rates, annual bonuses, and enhanced holiday allowances, as well as ample opportunities for personal and professional growth, Refresco fosters a culture of innovation and teamwork that empowers individuals to make a meaningful impact in the beverage industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lab Manager in Bridgwater
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with LabCRED and ISO17025 standards, as these are crucial for the Lab Manager role. Understanding these frameworks will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to quality management.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed teams in previous roles. Highlighting your ability to foster a positive team environment will resonate well with Refresco's values.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Refresco’s products and their commitment to quality and sustainability. Being knowledgeable about their operations and values will allow you to tailor your discussions during interviews and show genuine interest in the company.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former employees of Refresco on platforms like LinkedIn. Gaining insights from insiders can provide you with valuable information about the company culture and expectations, which can be beneficial during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Lab Manager in Bridgwater
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role:Before applying, make sure you fully understand the Lab Manager role at Refresco. Highlight your relevant experience in quality-focused food production or laboratory environments in your application.
Tailor Your CV:Customise your CV to reflect the skills and experiences that align with the job description. Emphasise your leadership abilities, problem-solving skills, and any experience with quality management systems.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for quality assurance and continuous improvement. Mention specific examples of how you've driven quality initiatives in previous roles and how you embody Refresco's core values.
Proofread Your Application:Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that all information is clear and concise. A polished application reflects your attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at Refresco
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Lab Manager at Refresco. Familiarise yourself with quality management systems, lab operations, and compliance standards like LabCRED (ISO17025-based). This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As you'll be managing a team of quality analysts, it's crucial to highlight your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams, fostered collaboration, and driven a positive work culture in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to laboratory processes, equipment calibration, and quality assurance. Brush up on your technical knowledge and be ready to discuss specific methodologies or challenges you've faced in past roles.
✨Align with Company Values
Refresco values agility, responsibility, passion, excellence, and entrepreneurship. Think of examples from your experience that reflect these values and be prepared to discuss how you embody them in your work.
