Laboratory Manager

Location: Tewkesbury

Salary: Competitive salary + benefits

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time

Are you an experienced laboratory professional with a strong background in food safety, microbiology and quality management? We're looking for an experienced Laboratory Manager to lead the laboratory function for a well-established food manufacturing business based in Tewkesbury. This is a key management position, responsible for ensuring product safety, quality and regulatory compliance, whilst leading and developing a small laboratory team.

The Role

Reporting into the Technical Manager, you'll take responsibility for the day-to-day management and development of the laboratory function. Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and coordinating the laboratory team
• Managing testing and sampling schedules for raw materials, in-process materials and finished products
• Ensuring testing is completed accurately and in line with required methods
• Maintaining high standards of food safety, quality and compliance
• Supporting site accreditation audits and maintaining audit readiness
• Working with BRCGS, HACCP and Food Safety Management Systems
• Managing laboratory equipment, including calibration, servicing, maintenance and installations
• Coordinating external laboratory testing and analysing results
• Managing non-conforming product reports and investigating failures
• Maintaining laboratory hygiene, safety and documentation standards
• Developing and improving laboratory procedures and testing regimes
• Troubleshooting technical and operational issues
• Identifying opportunities to improve testing processes and equipment
• Managing, training and mentoring laboratory personnel
• Driving sensory testing panel training
• Monitoring and reporting technical and employee performance
• Coordinating laboratory KPIs and reporting findings to senior management
• Ensuring compliance with Health & Safety, COSHH, Food Safety and HACCP requirements

About You

We're looking for an experienced laboratory professional who can combine technical knowledge with strong people-management skills. You'll ideally have:

• Previous experience working within a laboratory environment
• Experience within Food Science, Microbiology, Biology or a related discipline
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS Food Safety standards
• A good understanding of HACCP principles and Food Safety Management Systems
• Knowledge of microbiological safety and CCP validation
• Experience with root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Previous experience coordinating or managing a small team
• Excellent leadership, communication and problem-solving skills
• Strong attention to detail, particularly around reporting and documentation
• Experience writing laboratory procedures and policies
• Good Microsoft Office and QMS platform skills
• A proactive, confident and hands-on approach
• A strong understanding of food safety legislation and laboratory practices
• Knowledge of the dairy industry would be advantageous.
• An HNC or degree level qualification in a science-related subject would also be desirable, alongside strong knowledge of food microbiology and food chemistry.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced laboratory professional looking to take ownership of a laboratory function within an established food manufacturing environment. You'll have the opportunity to lead a team, influence laboratory standards, improve processes and play a key role in maintaining food safety and quality across the site.