Laboratory Technician

Travail Employment Group; Walton Cardiff; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellbeing support

Cycle to Work scheme

Employee product and delivery discount

Job summary

Travail Employment Group is assisting a well-established dairy business in Tewkesbury to recruit a Laboratory Technician. The role involves routine sampling and testing to ensure raw materials and finished dairy products meet required quality standards.

The position is temporary with the possibility of permanency for the right person after a successful period, and offers full training and development within a busy food manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Detailed, accurate work in a busy environment.
• Ability to follow procedures and meet deadlines.
• Willingness to learn and develop laboratory skills.

Responsibilities

• Sampling and testing raw milk and dairy products.
• Conducting microbiological testing using aseptic techniques.
• Performing compositional and chemical testing.
• Testing butterfat content, freezing point depression and alkaline phosphatase activity.
• Carrying out antibiotic residue testing.
• Completing water testing using titration methods.
• Recording and interpreting laboratory results.
• Monitoring HACCP controls and supporting food safety requirements.
• Issuing Certificates of Analysis to customers.
• Maintaining accurate laboratory records.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Time management

Communication

Teamwork

Independent worker

IT basics

Education

GCSE English, Maths and Science

Biology or Chemistry beneficial

Tools

COSHH training

Level 2 Food Safety

Level 2 HACCP

Dairy Science training

Job description

Laboratory Technician

Location: Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire
Pay Rate: 15.05 per hour
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Temporary, with the possibility of becoming permanent

Laboratory Technician - Tewkesbury

Are you looking for your next opportunity as a Laboratory Technician? Perhaps you already have laboratory experience, or you're looking to take your first step into a career within food science and quality?

We are currently recruiting for a Laboratory Technician to join the Technical and Laboratory team of a well-established, independent, family-owned dairy business based in Tewkesbury.

This is a great opportunity for a Laboratory Technician to gain valuable hands‑on experience within a busy food manufacturing environment. The position is initially temporary, with the possibility of becoming permanent for the right person following a successful temporary period.

The business has a long-standing reputation within the UK dairy industry, producing and distributing fresh dairy products to customers, wholesale partners and depots across the country. The Laboratory Technician will play an important role in maintaining the high standards of product quality, food safety and legal compliance that the business is built around.

The Laboratory Technician Role

As a Laboratory Technician, you will work closely with the Laboratory Manager and wider Technical team, carrying out routine sampling and testing to ensure raw materials and finished dairy products meet the required standards.

The Laboratory Technician will be responsible for:

• Sampling and testing raw milk and pasteurised dairy products
• Carrying out microbiological testing using aseptic techniques
• Performing compositional and chemical testing
• Testing butterfat content, freezing point depression and alkaline phosphatase activity
• Carrying out antibiotic residue testing
• Completing water testing using titration methods
• Accurately recording and interpreting laboratory results
• Monitoring HACCP controls and supporting food safety requirements
• Completing and issuing customer Certificates of Analysis
• Maintaining accurate laboratory records
• Keeping the laboratory clean, organised and compliant
• Following COSHH, Health & Safety, Food Safety and Good Laboratory Practice procedures
• Supporting the Laboratory Manager and Technical team with the efficient running of the laboratory

This Laboratory Technician position offers exposure to a variety of areas including microbiology, chemical testing, food safety, quality control and dairy science.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a Laboratory Technician who is reliable, accurate and genuinely interested in developing their laboratory skills.

You will ideally have:

• Excellent attention to detail and a methodical approach
• The ability to work accurately in a busy, fast-paced environment
• Good organisational and time-management skills
• A positive and proactive attitude
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Basic IT and Microsoft Office skills
• The ability to work to deadlines and follow procedures
• Flexibility to work a rotating shift pattern, including weekends

Previous experience as a Laboratory Technician is desirable, particularly within food, dairy, manufacturing or microbiology. However, previous laboratory experience is not essential, as full training will be provided for the right candidate.

An understanding of laboratory practices, food hygiene, food safety or HACCP would be advantageous.

GCSEs or equivalent in English, Maths and Science are desirable, with Biology, Chemistry or another relevant scientific qualification also beneficial.

Most importantly, we're looking for someone who is reliable, motivated, accurate and willing to learn.

Training & Development

If you're new to working as a Laboratory Technician, don't worry - full training and support will be provided.

You'll work alongside an experienced Laboratory Manager and Technical team who will support you in developing your practical laboratory skills and understanding of dairy production, quality and food safety.

Training can include:

• COSHH
• Level 2 Food Safety
• Level 2 HACCP
• Dairy Science training

This is a great opportunity for an aspiring Laboratory Technician to build experience and develop your career within the food and manufacturing industry.

Working Hours

The Laboratory Technician role is 37.5 hours per week, working five days across a Monday to Sunday rotating shift pattern.

Shift times include:

Weekdays:
03:00-11:00
05:30-13:30
06:00-14:00
07:00-15:00
12:00-end of production

Saturday: 08:00 start

Sunday: 06:00-18:00, approximately once every 6-8 weeks

There will be approximately one Saturday off per month.

Candidates must be comfortable with early starts, occasional weekend work and the rotating shift pattern.

What's on Offer?

• 15.05 per hour
• 37.5 hours per week
• Temporary position with the possibility of becoming permanent
• Full training for the successful Laboratory Technician
• Career development and progression opportunities
• 22 days' holiday plus bank holidays
• Additional holiday after 3 years' service
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Health and wellbeing support
• Medical, optical and dental claim-back options
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Employee product and delivery discounts
• Refer-a-friend scheme