Lab Assistant - Ice Cream Prototyping & Trials

Manpower; Bedford; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Manpower are currently seeking an interim Laboratory Assistant to work with our global FMCG client The Magnum Ice Cream Company at Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire. The position is a full-time temporary role for 12 months, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with a salary of £25,000–£30,000 per annum pro rata.

You will support lab experiments, pilot trials and prototyping, manage materials and samples, and help run end-to-end product development activities in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Education at A levels, BTEC level 3 or higher or equivalent apprenticeship.
• Previous experience in a food manufacturing, laboratory or technical environment is desirable.
• Good understanding of food hygiene, food safety and laboratory good practices.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Word).
• Strong organisational, planning and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and produce ice cream mixes in the laboratory according to specifications provided by Technical Project Leaders, ensuring accuracy, quality and timely delivery of samples.
• Support the planning and execution of ice cream pilot trials by working closely with Technical Project Leaders, Product Developers and Process Engineers to ensure all trial activities are completed efficiently and safely.
• Coordinate the ordering, receipt, storage and organisation of raw materials and packaging materials required for laboratory work and pilot trials.
• Maintain safe, compliant and well-organised storage areas for ingredients, packaging and experimental materials, ensuring good laboratory and housekeeping practices are followed at all times.
• Prepare materials, ingredients and packaging components for laboratory experiments, product prototyping and pilot plant activities.
• Record and organise experimental and trial data accurately to support product development decisions and project documentation.
• Manage the shipment of ingredients, prototypes and samples to internal teams, manufacturing sites and external partners, ensuring products arrive in the required condition and within agreed timelines.
• Conduct routine laboratory assessments and testing, including physical property measurements and stability evaluations, supporting the quality and performance assessment of new products.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of laboratory workflows, organisation and ways of working to enhance team productivity and enable faster delivery of innovation projects.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Education

A levels / BTEC level 3 or higher

Job description

Manpower are currently seeking an interim Laboratory Assistant to work with our global FMCG client The Magnum Ice Cream Company at Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire. The position is a full-time temporary role for 12 months, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with a salary of £25,000–£30,000 per annum pro rata.

You will support lab experiments, pilot trials and prototyping, manage materials and samples, and help run end-to-end product development activities in a fast-paced