Laboratory Technician

Perm Recruitment RF/BDT; Somerset Regional; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday day off

Wholesale garden products

Flexible start/finish times

Job summary

Searles Kilcoy site in Queensland invites applications for a practical laboratory and quality role. You will perform routine testing on composts and finished products, monitor key process parameters, and ensure batch release checks are completed to specifications.

The role combines laboratory work with outdoor production tasks, offering hands-on experience across quality, testing and product performance within a well-established horticultural business.

Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and accurate record keeping.
• Ability to manage routine priorities independently.
• Clear communication with operators and production teams.
• Comfort working in both laboratory and outdoor production environments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct routine testing on composts and finished products.
• Monitor temperature, pH and EC across production processes.
• Complete batch release checks against specifications.
• Communicate results and required adjustments to operators.
• Support product trials, sample management and external testing.

Skills

Attention to detail

Independent prioritisation

Clear communication

Lab and field adaptability

Education

Science/environment/agriculture/horticulture background

Job description

Searles is a long-established Australian horticultural business producing composts, potting mixes and growing media used by customers across the country.

Part of a larger group, the business combines deep product knowledge with practical manufacturing capability and a strong commitment to quality. The Kilcoy site offers a supportive working environment where testing, production and product performance are closely connected.

The Company

Searles is a long-established Australian horticultural business producing composts, potting mixes and growing media used by customers across the country.

Part of a larger group, the business combines deep product knowledge with practical manufacturing capability and a strong commitment to quality. The Kilcoy site offers a supportive working environment where testing, production and product performance are closely connected.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Technical Manager, you will help maintain product quality across the Kilcoy operation.

The role combines routine laboratory testing with practical work across the production site. You will monitor composting and finished products, complete batch release checks, maintain accurate records and communicate results with operators.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Conducting routine testing on composts and finished products
• Monitoring temperature, pH and EC across production processes
• Completing batch release checks against specifications
• Communicating results and required adjustments to operators
• Supporting product trials, sample management and external testing

You will take ownership of a regular testing schedule and organise your priorities across the week. The work is structured and process-driven, with a mix of laboratory and outdoor activity.

The role is based at the Kilcoy site, accessible from Caboolture, Morayfield, Esk, Fernvale and Toogoolawah.

About You

You are reliable, methodical and take pride in producing accurate work.

Laboratory experience would be useful, although Searles is open to candidates from quality, manufacturing, agriculture, horticulture, environmental science or related backgrounds. Training can be provided to someone with a sound technical mindset and a consistent approach.

To succeed, you will bring:

• Strong attention to detail and accurate record keeping
• A practical, technically minded approach
• The ability to manage routine priorities independently
• Clear communication skills and confidence working with operational teams
• Comfort working across laboratory and outdoor production environments

A qualification or experience in science, environmental science, agriculture, horticulture or a related area would be advantageous but is not essential.

Why this Role?

This is a practical opportunity to build laboratory and quality experience within a well-established horticultural business. You will take ownership of routine testing, contribute directly to product quality and receive support from an experienced Technical Manager.

• Birthday day off in addition to annual leave
• Access to garden products at wholesale prices
• Flexible start and finish times aligned with production requirements

For more information or a confidential discussion, contact Marcela Rocha-Lima at 1300 380 ***.

Additional information

• Established Australian horticultural manufacturer
• Hands-on laboratory testing and quality role
• Kilcoy, Queensland