Laboratory Team Leader

Müller UK & Ireland; Up Holland; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Müller UK & Ireland in Skelmersdale is seeking a Laboratory Team Leader to head the laboratory team, ensuring quality, food safety and continuous improvement. This hands-on leadership role involves coaching technicians and analysts, maintaining robust quality systems, and delivering safe, compliant products on time.

You will report to the Technical Manager and drive performance, audits and cross‑functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Apprenticeship qualification or equivalent experience in a laboratory/food environment.
• HACCP Level 3 qualification.
• Advanced knowledge of microbiology and laboratory practices.
• Experience leading, coaching or developing a team.
• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Proven ability to solve complex problems and drive improvements.
• Experience in quality management systems and food safety environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 5-10 laboratory colleagues and drive performance.
• Manage day-to-day laboratory operations and testing delivery.
• Ensure quality management systems and regulatory compliance.
• Manage laboratory budgets and resources.
• Provide specialist expertise in chemical and microbiological analysis.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve quality and site objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement across the laboratory and site.

Skills

Microbiology knowledge

Laboratory leadership

Quality management

Problem solving

Communication

Continuous improvement

Food safety

Education

HACCP Level 3 qualification

Apprenticeship qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Position: Laboratory Team Leader

Location: Skelmersdale
Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent, Monday - Friday

The Opportunity

We are looking for a proactive and people-focused Laboratory Team Leader to lead our laboratory team and drive excellence in quality, food safety, and continuous improvement. Reporting to the Technical Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the laboratory, ensuring robust quality management systems are maintained and that safe, legal, and authentic products are consistently delivered.

This is a hands‑on leadership role where you will coach, develop, and inspire a team of Laboratory Technicians and Senior Quality Analysts while providing technical expertise in microbiology and chemical analysis.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & People Development

• Lead, motivate, and develop a team of 5-10 laboratory colleagues.
• Act as a coach and mentor, supporting both individual and team development.
• Drive performance management processes, including objective setting, reviews, and development planning.
• Create clear purpose and direction aligned to site and business objectives.
• Build a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.

Laboratory Management

• Manage the day-to‑day operation of the laboratory to ensure efficient delivery of testing and quality requirements.
• Ensure management systems are effective and support the production of safe, saleable products.
• Maintain compliance with quality, food safety, and regulatory standards.
• Manage laboratory budgets and resources effectively.
• Support and verify operational quality control processes across the site.

Technical Expertise

• Provide specialist expertise in chemical and microbiological analysis.
• Support the investigation and resolution of quality issues through effective root cause analysis.
• Facilitate advanced problem‑solving activities using recognised methodologies.
• Work collaboratively with cross‑functional teams to improve quality performance and business effectiveness.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead and deliver continuous improvement initiatives across the laboratory and wider site.
• Identify opportunities to eliminate waste and improve processes.
• Encourage and develop a continuous improvement mindset within the team.
• Support team members in delivering improvement projects as part of their personal development.
• Drive achievement of OGSM and site quality objectives.

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Apprenticeship qualification or equivalent experience in a laboratory, food manufacturing, or technical environment.
• HACCP Level 3 qualification.
• Advanced knowledge of microbiology and laboratory practices.
• Previous experience leading, coaching, or developing a team.
• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Proven ability to solve complex problems and facilitate improvements.
• Experience working within quality management systems and food safety environments.

Desirable

• A3/A0 problem‑solving methodology experience.
• Food manufacturing or FMCG experience.
• Experience managing laboratory budgets and resources.
• Continuous improvement experience with demonstrable results.

Key Skills & Behaviours

• Inspiring and inclusive leadership style.
• Strong coaching and mentoring capability.
• Excellent organisational and decision‑making skills.03/>
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Results‑driven with a focus on quality and continuous improvement.
• Strong analytical and investigative skills.

At Müller, we're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and encourage people to apply even if they don't meet every requirement listed. If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know - we're happy to support you.