Laboratory Supervisor

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

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition partner for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. Working behind the scenes, every day we partner with customers to solve the world's most complex food challenges with our range of differentiated ingredients, technologies, and people. We are passionate about what we do and are constantly innovating to create a healthier, more enjoyable, and sustainable food future without compromise. We are driven to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition and will reach over two billion consumers with sustainable nutrition solutions by 2030.

Requisition ID

67256

Position Type

FT Permanent

Workplace Arrangement

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition partner for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. Working behind the scenes, every day we partner with customers to solve the world's most complex food challenges with our range of differentiated ingredients, technologies, and people. We are passionate about what we do and are constantly innovating to create a healthier, more enjoyable, and sustainable food future without compromise. We are driven to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition and will reach over two billion consumers with sustainable nutrition solutions by 2030.

Our Safety purpose "we work together in a caring culture where everybody goes home safe every day". We are committed to providing a safe working environment and ensuring that all safety protocols are strictly followed. Join us in creating a workplace where safety is everyone's responsibility.

About the role

We are looking for a Laboratory Supervisor to join our Quality team at an exciting time of growth and expansion for the site. This newly created role will be key in supporting the continued development of the laboratory and strengthening its capabilities across both the Syrups & Sauces and Cheese Plants. Reporting to the Food Safety & Quality Manager and working as part of a Quality team of 14 people, you will lead the day-to-day laboratory operation, ensuring accurate and timely testing and product release while maintaining high standards of food safety, quality, compliance and health & safety.

This is a permanent, full-time, onsite position, Monday to Friday.

Key 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.

Qualifications and skills

• 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.

Why join us?

You'll join a dynamic and growing site, where you'll have the opportunity to learn, develop and make a real contribution, while living our "Safety First, Quality Always" approach every day.

We also offer

• 25 days' annual leave
• Healthcare allowance
• Matched pension scheme up to 10%
• Employee share scheme
• Perkbox discounts and offers
• Employee Assistance Programme.

Kerry is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Consistent with our policy of providing equality of opportunity for all, we are required to seek particular information from applicants. As part of your application you will be asked to answer a short number of questions. This information will be held separate to your application and treated in the strictest of confidence.