Lab Technician: Quality, Calibration & Sensory Analysis

Zest Recruitment; Essex; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Zest Recruitment is seeking a Laboratory Technician to join the quality team in Essex. The role focuses on keeping products safe, well-organised and running to the high standards required by the business.

You will be involved in sample preparation, routine analysis, experimental support and sensory facilitation, with varied days including shelf-life work and benchmarking sessions. A strong eye for detail and good communication are essential.

Qualifications

• GCSEs or A-levels in science subjects; a degree isn't essential, but prior lab experience is
• Confident with basic analytical equipment and quick to learn new techniques
• Genuinely precise — you understand a small error in sample prep can ripple through a whole project
• Organised and able to stay that way under pressure, juggling multiple projects at once
• A clear communicator, comfortable liaising with technical staff and external labs
• Curious — you want to understand why things work, not just how to do them
• A reliable team player

Responsibilities

• Keep the lab clean, safe, organised and fully stocked; maintain and calibrate equipment
• Run safety checks and keep accurate compliance records
• Prepare and process samples to precise formulations, including large-scale runs to deadline
• Run routine analysis in line with QC methodologies
• Execute experimental designs from technical briefs, coordinating external agencies where needed
• Support data collection, analysis, and shelf-life testing; report to the QC Manager
• Organise tasting sessions and competitor benchmarking
• Conduct shelf-life tasting reviews to consistent protocols
• Manage the ingredients library and order materials proactively, keeping stock in-date and to spec
• Support with any other ad hoc duties as required by the business

Skills

Lab experience

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Curiosity

Team player

Education

GCSEs/A-levels in science

Tools

Analytical instruments

Job description

Zest Recruitment is seeking a Laboratory Technician to join the quality team in Essex. The role focuses on keeping products safe, well-organised and running to the high standards required by the business.

You will be involved in sample preparation, routine analysis, experimental support and sensory facilitation, with varied days including shelf-life work and benchmarking sessions. A strong eye for detail and good communication are essential.