Lab Supervisor

Lakeland Dairies Ltd; Strabane; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading dairy processor is seeking a Lab Supervisor for an 18-month fixed term role in Strabane. The successful candidate will oversee laboratory operations, ensure quality control, and manage a team of technicians. Ideal applicants will have experience in a food or dairy lab and supervisory background. Competitive benefits including pension and free parking offered.

Benefits

Pension

Free Parking

Canteen

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in a laboratory environment, ideally food or dairy.
• Previous supervisory experience is essential.
• Ability to ensure compliance with Operational and Quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily supervision of onsite laboratories.
• Ensure quality control service meets customer requirements.
• Train staff on testing methods and safety protocols.

Skills

Leadership

Lab experience

Supervisory skills

Quality control

Education

Relevant third level qualification

Job description

Lab Supervisor (FTC 18 months)

Artigarvan, County Tyrone

Lakeland Dairies Co-operative Society Limited (The Group) is the second largest dairy processor on the island of Ireland. The business is complex and ambitious with a milk supply pool of 2 billion litres of milk, drawn from over 3,200 family farms across 16 counties.

With the most modern dairy manufacturing facilities in 8 locations on a cross-border basis, the Group supplies to a broad customer base including some of the world’s foremost blue chip companies across the dairy food ingredients, foodservice and consumer food channels on a domestic Ireland, UK, European and global basis. Internationally we export some 240 different products to over 100 countries worldwide.

The Group’s Agribusiness Division (Lakeland Agri) operates a state-of-the-art Animal Feed Manufacturing Facility and is a leading and innovative provider of the highest quality feeds and agricultural inputs to dairy, beef, and sheep farmers across the north and south of Ireland.

Applications are invited for the above position that will be based at our Artigarvan Site in County Tyrone.

The Role

The successful applicant will lead the daily supervision and efficient running of all onsite laboratories while ensuring that a valuable, cost-effective and accurate quality control service is provided which fulfils both customer and company requirements.

Responsibilities

• Management of Laboratories & Testing
  • Plan, prioritise and delegate work to the best interest of the business and the customer taking into consideration costs, historical data, legal and customer requirements & onsite capability.
  • Ensure departmental metrics are met, analysed regularly and necessary action taken when these are not met.
• Team Management
  • Obtain synergy cost benefits by cross utilising team members where appropriate.
  • Work with the Technical Manager to create a high-performance team.
  • Ensure laboratory technicians follow standard procedures correctly and carry out periodic reviews of procedures to ensure they are kept relevant and up to date.
• Training
  • Organise and oversee training including methods, competency testing, standard procedure compliance and company organoleptic training. Ensure staff are fully trained and verified as competent in testing methods and training is kept up to date following any fundamental changes to policy/procedure
  • Ensure that all staff are also trained to a sufficiently high standard in Health & Safety, personal hygiene requirements and cleaning procedures.
• Quality Control
  • Ensure all results are reported to production staff in a timely and appropriate manner.
  • Ensure all relevant paperwork including HACCP sheets are signed off daily and deal with any issues arising.
• General
  • Actively promote a culture of health and safety awareness within the department ensuring best practice is followed.

The Person

The successful candidate will possess substantial experience of working within a laboratory environment (ideally food or dairy), have previous/current supervisory experience and hold a relevant third level qualification or have a good level of Quality/Technical experience.

The successful applicant will be self-motivated, organised, performance driven and people focused with the ability to communicate effectively with operators and management. Attentive to detail and the ability to ensure compliance with Operational, Quality, H&S and company policies are other key components of this rewarding role.

*** Please note - This is a fixed term role for 18 months ***

If you have the necessary skills and attributes to meet this exciting opportunity in a dynamic, high volume and fast-moving business, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Application Process: To apply or for further information, please submit a copy of your CV by midday on Monday 6th October 2025.

Lakeland Dairies Ltd is committed to having an inclusive workplace where every employee feels they belong. If you require accommodations to be made during the recruitment process or have questions relating to accessibility, please contact us at .

Skills: lab, Laboratory, Leadership, Leadership/Management Skills, Supervisory, Food, Manufacturing

Benefits: Pension, Free Parking, Canteen