Laboratory Manager

RE People; Painswick; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer in Tewkesbury seeks a dynamic Laboratory Manager to lead a laboratory team. You will ensure compliance with food safety standards and drive continuous improvement. The ideal candidate has experience in a lab, strong leadership skills, and a background in food science. Enjoy a supportive culture with career development opportunities.

Benefits

Excellent benefits

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a lab environment, ideally in food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS Food Safety, HACCP, QMS, and microbiological safety.
• Comfortable with SOP writing.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the lab function, ensuring compliance with standards.
• Lead and mentor a small lab team, fostering a collaborative culture.
• Plan and oversee testing across raw materials and finished products.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Data analysis

Problem solving

Education

HNC/Degree in a science subject

Job description

Overview

Laboratory Manager – Location: Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire

Salary: £36,370 - £36,400 DOE + excellent benefits

We are seeking a dynamic Laboratory Manager to join a well-established manufacturer at their Tewkesbury production site. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a laboratory team within a business that prides itself on quality, innovation, and a supportive culture where people are truly valued.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the lab function, ensuring compliance with BRCGS standards, HACCP protocols, and food safety legislation.
• Lead and mentor a small lab team, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Plan and oversee testing across raw materials, in-process and finished products.
• Maintain audit readiness and liaise with auditors to uphold standards.
• Ensure laboratory equipment is maintained, calibrated, and verified.
• Champion continuous improvement, driving KPIs, root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Oversee documentation, laboratory procedures, HACCP, and COSHH compliance.
• Manage external testing, customer certificates, and non-conformance investigations.

About You

• Proven experience in a lab environment, ideally in food manufacturing (microbiology/food science/biology background).
• Strong knowledge of BRCGS Food Safety, HACCP, QMS and microbiological safety.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and communication skills.
• Comfortable with data analysis, SOP writing and problem solving.
• HNC/Degree in a science subject desirable.

Why Join?

This is more than just a management role - it's a chance to be part of a business with a great culture, strong values, and genuine career development opportunities. You'll be working in an environment where quality, teamwork, and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything.