Laboratory Quality Lead - Food & Beverage

Kerry; Coleraine; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days' annual leave

Healthcare allowance

Matched pension scheme up to 10%

Employee share scheme

Perkbox discounts and offers

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Kerry in the United Kingdom is seeking a Laboratory Supervisor to lead the day-to-day operations of the quality laboratory, ensuring accurate testing, product release, and strict adherence to food safety and quality standards. You will report to the Food Safety & Quality Manager as part of a 14-person Quality team and oversee onsite activities, Monday to Friday.

This permanent role requires a degree in Food Science or equivalent, hands-on lab leadership experience, and a proactive, collaborative

Qualifications

• HND or degree in Food Science, or significant relevant laboratory experience.
• Experience in a fast-paced laboratory or manufacturing environment.
• Proven people-management skills, with a pragmatic approach to developing, motivating and guiding a team.
• Hands-on and adaptable, comfortable managing the team while stepping into operational activities when needed.
• Proactive and solutions-focused, with good judgement and the flexibility to manage changing priorities.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, comfortable working across departments and different levels of the organisation.
• Good IT skills, particularly Microsoft Office; SAP experience would be an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the laboratory, ensuring compliance with GLP, safety, hygiene and quality standards.
• Manage, develop and support the Laboratory team, ensuring appropriate training and SOPs are in place.
• Ensure timely testing, review and release of products, including non-conforming stock, in line with site procedures.
• Maintain and continuously improve the Laboratory Quality System, processes and working practices.
• Monitor laboratory performance and efficiency, ensuring effective resource planning and stock control.
• Manage laboratory equipment, including maintenance, repair, calibration, verification and procurement.
• Review and improve testing methods to increase efficiency, accuracy, safety and quality.
• Support new products, projects and validations in line with customer and Global standards.
• Coordinate site-wide taste panels, communicate results and raise non-conformities for investigation.
• Act as the key contact for external laboratories and work closely with the wider Quality team.
• Contribute to Quality department priorities, continuous improvement and decision-making.

Skills

Lab management

People management

Quality systems

Communication skills

Education

HND or degree in Food Science

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

Kerry in the United Kingdom is seeking a Laboratory Supervisor to lead the day-to-day operations of the quality laboratory, ensuring accurate testing, product release, and strict adherence to food safety and quality standards. You will report to the Food Safety & Quality Manager as part of a 14-person Quality team and oversee onsite activities, Monday to Friday.

This permanent role requires a degree in Food Science or equivalent, hands-on lab leadership experience, and a proactive, collaborative