At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct hands-on lab work to ensure product quality and drive innovation.
- Company: Join Westland Horticulture, a leader in the UK gardening industry.
- Benefits: Supportive team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a forward-thinking company focused on sustainability.
- Qualifications: Minimum 6 months lab experience; A-Level Chemistry required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Westland Horticulture is a market leader in the UK gardening industry, known for delivering high-quality growing media, fertilisers, and plant care products. With a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and product excellence, we are proud to support gardeners across the UK and beyond.
As we continue to grow, we are looking for an Analytical Chemist to join our Technical Team and play a key role in maintaining product quality and driving innovation within our manufacturing operations. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and detail-oriented individual with a scientific background who enjoys hands-on laboratory work in a fast-paced production environment. You’ll be responsible for ensuring the quality and consistency of our products through a range of analytical testing and process controls.
Key Responsibilities- Calibrate and verify laboratory equipment and process controls
- Carry out routine and monthly analysis on raw materials and finished goods
- Identify non-conforming materials and support corrective actions
- Monitor growing media and fertiliser production to ensure specifications are met
- Maintain strict contamination control standards
- Support continuous improvement and innovation within the Technical Team
- Manage laboratory documentation including SOPs, training records, and H&S compliance
- Maintain product specifications, labelling, and packaging information
- Support GMP audits and work with H&S teams to resolve issues
- Review production data to ensure compliance with internal and legal standards
- Support new product development (NPD) and technical trials
- Conduct batch release and in-process testing
- Provide technical support to production teams
- Maintain COSHH and MSDS documentation
- Operate and maintain the Fertiliser Pilot Plant
- Manage retained samples for stability testing and complaint investigations
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
- Strong communicator with the ability to work across multiple teams
- Proactive and solutions-focused
- Able to manage workload effectively in a fast-paced environment
- A collaborative team player with a hands-on approach
- Essential:
- Minimum 6 months’ laboratory experience (including placements), ideally within manufacturing or industry
- Strong understanding of laboratory procedures and analytical testing
- Desirable:
- Experience with Ion Chromatography or HPLC
- Knowledge of calibration standards and analytical techniques
- A-Level Chemistry (minimum); degree in Chemistry, Life Sciences, or related field preferred
- Experience working in a production or manufacturing environment
At Westland, you’ll be part of a forward-thinking, innovative business where quality and sustainability are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a supportive team environment, opportunities for development, and the chance to make a real impact within a growing organisation.
Locations
Specialist Analytical Chemist in Cheshire, Ellesmere Port employer: Westland Horticulture Ltd
Contact Detail:
Westland Horticulture Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Analytical Chemist in Cheshire, Ellesmere Port
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Westland Horticulture and understanding their products and values. Show them you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for gardening and sustainability!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to analytical chemistry and laboratory work. We want you to feel confident and ready to showcase your skills when it counts!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Westland.
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Analytical Chemist in Cheshire, Ellesmere Port
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your laboratory experience and any relevant analytical techniques you've used, like Ion Chromatography or HPLC. We want to see how you fit into our innovative team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your background aligns with our focus on quality and sustainability. Don’t forget to mention your hands-on approach and teamwork skills!
Showcase Your Attention to Detail: As an Analytical Chemist, attention to detail is key. In your application, provide examples of how you've maintained strict standards in previous roles. This will show us that you can handle the fast-paced environment we thrive in at Westland.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at Westland Horticulture Ltd
✨Know Your Chemistry
Brush up on your chemistry knowledge, especially around analytical techniques like Ion Chromatography and HPLC. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles or projects, as this will show your practical understanding and readiness for the job.
✨Showcase Your Attention to Detail
Since the role requires a keen eye for detail, prepare examples from your previous experience where your attention to detail made a difference. Whether it was identifying non-conforming materials or maintaining strict contamination control, having specific instances ready will impress the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
Westland values teamwork, so think of times when you successfully collaborated with others in a lab or production setting. Highlight how you communicated effectively across teams and contributed to achieving common goals, as this will resonate well with their team-oriented culture.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect questions that may involve real-life scenarios related to laboratory procedures or quality control. Practise articulating your thought process on how you would handle specific challenges, such as managing laboratory documentation or supporting GMP audits, to showcase your problem-solving skills.