Laboratory Manager

Samworth Brothers Limited; Callington; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food testing laboratory in Callington is seeking an experienced Laboratory Manager to lead microbiology operations, ensuring the highest standards of quality and compliance. The role involves overseeing laboratory procedures, leading a skilled team, and supporting ISO 17025 accreditation. The ideal candidate will have a degree in a science-based discipline, strong management experience, and technical knowledge of food microbiology. Join a family-oriented environment while advancing your career. Apply today to embark on an exciting journey!

Benefits

Enhanced pension scheme

Private health scheme

Employee discount scheme

Annual pay reviews

Profit related pay

Training and growth opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven management experience within a laboratory environment.
• Experience with ISO 17025 accreditation and laboratory auditing.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day‑to‑day laboratory operations ensuring compliance with ISO 17025.
• Lead method development, validation, and performance reviews.
• Authorize and manage sensitive microbiology results while maintaining strong customer communication.
• Support health and safety responsibilities, ensuring a safe working environment.

Skills

Strong technical knowledge of food microbiology and quality systems

Excellent communication skills

Leadership skills

Organisational skills

Education

Degree, HND, or equivalent in a science-based discipline

Job description

About The Role

Join the Samworth Brothers Team and become part of our dynamic family!

At Samworth Brothers, we genuinely care about our colleagues and strive to create an engaging environment that values your unique contributions. We are committed to your success and offer a range of exceptional benefits that we believe supports your life and personal aspirations.

Benefits

• Enhanced pension scheme
• Private health scheme
• Employee discount scheme
• Experience annual pay reviews
• Profit related pay
• Unlock your potential through training and growth opportunities

Based in Callington, Cornwall

The Opportunity

Westward Laboratories, part of the Samworth Brothers Group, is seeking an experienced Laboratory Manager to lead our microbiology operations and ensure our testing meets the highest standards of quality, safety, and compliance. You will oversee day‑to‑day laboratory operations, uphold ISO 17025 accreditation, support the General Manager, and lead a skilled team to deliver accurate and reliable microbiological results for our customers.

Oversee all laboratory operations to ensure compliance with ISO 17025, customer requirements, and company procedures.

Lead method development, validation, and performance reviews to ensure all testing is fit for purpose.

Authorise and manage sensitive microbiology results while maintaining strong customer communication.

Provide leadership to managers and teams, including training, development, recruitment, and performance management.

Support health and safety responsibilities, ensuring a safe working environment and strong safety culture.

Ideal Candidate

We believe that success is built upon collaboration and diverse perspectives. At Samworth Brothers, we welcome candidates who are passionate about working together to achieve greatness. As a valued member of our team, you will bring the following skills and experience:

• Degree, HND, or equivalent in a science‑based discipline (preferred).
• Proven management experience within a laboratory environment.
• Strong technical knowledge of food microbiology and quality systems.
• Experience with ISO 17025 accreditation and laboratory auditing.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills.

We also want you to thrive in an engaging and inclusive work culture where you will have the opportunity to take on personal accountability and take pride in your work. We encourage positive communication, and the building of strong collaborative relationships is essential to every role.

Join us at Samworth Brothers, where you'll be more than just a team member—you'll be an integral part of our thriving family. Apply today and embark on an exciting journey with us!

About Us

Quality and Food Safety sit at the heart of our Business. Westward Laboratories is our contemporary food testing laboratory which provides a comprehensive range of microbiological and chemical testing for the food industry. We are a United Kingdom accredited service (UKAS) testing laboratory and we ensure our retail customers have trust and confidence in their products.

At Samworth Brothers we take pride in our family feel within our businesses and work together to make things happen. We can offer you the stability of a wider group as well as the opportunities that that offers if you wish to progress your career with us. We are family and we would like to invite you to be part of that and support our teams in delivering great products to all of our customers.

Samworth Brothers do not engage with unlicensed gangmasters or third parties. Samworth Brothers will NEVER ask you for money in order to provide you with employment. If you are in any doubt please contact an official Samworth Brothers representative.