Lab Technician

Manpower UK Limited; Port Sunlight; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading FMCG company seeks a Machine Dishwash Lab Technician for its Port Sunlight facility. The role includes preparing machines, managing inventory, and conducting tests. Ideal candidates will have strong organisational skills and attention to detail, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office. This full-time position offers competitive pay and a mix of onsite and remote work opportunities.

Benefits

Free onsite parking

Staff shop discounts

State-of-the-art facilities

Various site clubs

Catering outlets

Qualifications

• Ability to switch between tasks and plan for the week.
• Need for correct mixes ensures machines run with specific programmes.
• Part of a small team interacting with Unilever colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Prepare machines for MDW tests and clean between studies.
• Collect and prepare MDW articles ensuring they are fit for use.
• Manage the re-washing of articles and handle inventory.

Skills

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

IT skills

Understanding of chemistry

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

Manpower is currently seeking an interim Machine Dishwash Lab Technician, to work with our global FMCG client Unilever, renowned for brands such as Dove, Sure, Persil, and Simple, and become an integral part of their fast-paced FMCG environment.

The position is based at our client's scientific Research & Development facility in Port Sunlight Village, Wirral easily accessible by train and car. This is a full-time temporary role to run until 27th March 2026 (with a possibility of extension), requiring 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Compensation for this role is competitive, paying up to £26,325 per annum, pro rata, depending upon experience.

The role currently offers a mix of remote and onsite working, subject to adjustment based on business requirements.

Role overview

The Machine dishwash (MDW) category operates a large laboratory where several internal tests are carried out to measure the technical performance of our products in a number of areas. The role is laboratory based, helping in the running of everyday experiments with some flexibility on hours; it is preferable that the person is in every day with standard full-day hours from 8am to 4pm. The main activities are as follows:

Responsibilities

1. MDW machine preparation - cleaning machines between studies so that they are ready for the next set of products or tests.
2. MDW Article collection and preparation - ensuring that plates/glasses, etc. are fit for use and are disposed of if not.
3. MDW test washes - turning on the dishwashers and opening doors at the end of cycle as appropriate, loading the machines with articles and adding the appropriate ballast soils.
4. Re-wash of MDW articles for re-use, managing inventory, and stock control.
5. Stain making for MDW studies.
6. Simple MDW experiments where a demonstration of product benefits is required — following a specific experimental process, usually with commercial products.
7. Technical instrumental measurements on MDW articles (after appropriate training) such as colour measurements, weight measurements or the digital imaging of washed articles.
8. Use of LIMs for inventory tracking and article tracking through studies.

Qualifications and skills

• Organisational skills - ability to switch between various tasks in the course of the day, and plan for the week.
• Attention to detail - understand the need for correct mixes and soils, ensure machines run with specific programmes and are loaded correctly.
• Teamwork - part of a small team interacting with many Unilever colleagues in the laboratory.
• IT skills - proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Some understanding of chemistry is preferred.

Port Sunlight working environment

• Free onsite parking
• Staff shop discounts
• Working in state-of-the-art laboratory and pilot plant facilities
• 5 mins walk to train station serving Liverpool & Chester
• 20-minute drive from Liverpool city centre / 30-minute drive from Chester
• Disabled parking
• In the heart of picturesque Port Sunlight village
• Site clubs available (Book Club, Running, Choir, Pool, Genealogy, etc.)
• Three catering outlets with hot and cold food and drinks daily
• Vending machines and cold water dispensers around the site