Laboratory Manager

GMP Recruitment Agency Ltd; Tewkesbury; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

GMP Recruitment Agency Limited in partnership with a leading independent family-owned business in Tewkesbury is recruiting a Laboratory Manager for a busy food manufacturing site.

You will lead a skilled laboratory team, oversee microbiological testing, environmental monitoring and product testing, and drive improvements in quality, safety and compliance with BRCGS and HACCP standards. Prior food lab leadership is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a laboratory team in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong knowledge of food microbiology and safety practices.
• Experience with BRCGS, HACCP and quality systems.
• Proven problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Dairy sector experience is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the laboratory team
• Oversee microbiological, environmental and product testing
• Manage sampling, shelf-life testing and schedules
• Investigate quality and microbiological issues
• Support BRCGS, HACCP and food safety compliance
• Ensure equipment calibration and maintenance
• Drive process improvements across lab operations
• Report KPIs and trends to management

Skills

Food laboratory experience

Team leadership

Food microbiology knowledge

Food safety knowledge

Root cause analysis

Dairy industry experience

Education

BSc in Food Science / Microbiology or similar

Job description

GMP Recruitment Agency Limited are proud to be partnered with the UK's leading independent, family-owned business who specialise in food and drink distribution for wholesale customers, located in Tewkesbury.

Laboratory Manager - Food Manufacturing

We're looking for an experienced Laboratory Manager to lead a busy laboratory team within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

Please note: Previous FOOD LABORATORY experience is essential for this role. Candidates must come from a food manufacturing, food microbiology, dairy or closely related food laboratory background.

The role will involve:

• Managing and developing the laboratory team
• Overseeing microbiological, environmental and product testing
• Managing sampling, shelf-life testing and laboratory schedules
• Investigating quality and microbiological issues
• Supporting BRCGS, HACCP and food safety compliance
• Ensuring laboratory equipment is maintained and calibrated
• Driving improvements across laboratory processes and standards
• Reporting laboratory KPIs, trends and results to management

What we’re looking for:

• Strong food laboratory experience - essential
• Previous team leadership or management experience
• Good knowledge of food microbiology and food safety
• Understanding of BRCGS and HACCP
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills
• Food Science, Microbiology or similar qualification would be advantageous
• Dairy industry experience would be a bonus

A great opportunity for an experienced food laboratory professional who enjoys leading a team, improving processes and playing a key role in product safety and quality