Quality Lab Team Lead - Food

Kerry; Coleraine; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company in Coleraine is seeking a Quality Lab Team Lead. In this role, you will ensure compliance with quality standards, conduct laboratory analyses, and work closely with production teams. Successful candidates will have quality control experience, a Level Science qualification, and strong communication skills. The position requires flexibility in working hours, including nights and weekends. Competitive benefits and career development opportunities are offered.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Matched pension scheme up to 10%

Employee Assistance Program

Volunteer day

Employee benefit platform

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Quality Control and laboratory settings, ideally within a food manufacturing environment.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to instruct others on quality-related topics.
• Experience in people leadership would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Comply with global standards and maintain hygiene standards.
• Conduct laboratory analysis of raw materials and finished products.
• Coordinate quality assurance processes closely with the Production Team.

Skills

Quality Control

Laboratory experience

Communication skills

Attention to details

Flexibility

Education

Level Science qualification or equivalent

Tools

SAP

Intelex

Job description

Overview

Requisition ID: 61147  Position Type: FT Permanent  Workplace Arrangement: #LI-Onsite

We are expanding our Kerry manufacturing facility in Coleraine, Co. Londonderry and have several exciting opportunities available for Quality Lab Team Leads. As our operations grow, we will be hiring for multiple full-time, permanent positions over the coming months.

In this role, you will work on a 3-week rotating shift schedule. Shifts are 12 hours each (7am–7pm or 7pm–7am), alternating between days and nights. Flexibility is essential for this role, as occasional weekend work will be required. Overtime rates will be applied when applicable.

For example:

• Week 1: 3 night shifts
• Week 2: 2 day shifts and 2 night shifts
• Week 3: 3 day shifts

Where will you work?

Kerry Coleraine proudly stands as the UK’s leading manufacturer of processed cheese. We specialise in producing individually wrapped cheese slices for retail, as well as cheese slices designed for the catering and fast-food industries. With our ongoing expansion, we are also broadening our production to include a wider variety of products.

Responsibilities

Your responsibilities as a Quality Lab Team Lead will include:

• Complying with global standards, customer requirements, and site Quality Management Systems (QMS), while following Health and Safety procedures and maintaining hygiene standards.
• Conducting laboratory analysis of raw materials, in-progress products, and finished products using both chemical and non-chemical techniques. Inputting analysis outcomes into the SAP system and assisting with block or release procedures.
• Coordinating quality assurance processes closely with the Production Team. Carrying out Glass & Hard Plastics Audits and equipment swabbing on the production floor.
• Ensuring that the laboratory is well-equipped with the necessary consumables.
• Participating in continuous improvement initiatives. Assisting RD&A and Process Development Technologists with product development.
• Assisting with customer audits.

What do you need to be successful?

In Kerry we understand that people have very different career trajectories and experiences. In order to be successful in this role we would be looking for the right competencies and aptitudes as well as your proven track record of success in a similar role and environment.

These include:

• Proven experience in Quality Control and laboratory settings, ideally within a food manufacturing environment.
• Proficient computer skills, with knowledge of SAP and Intelex being advantageous.
• Level science or equivalent qualification.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to instruct others on quality-related topics.
• Proactively striving to ensure the highest quality of products, demonstrating drive and determination.
• Attention to details.
• Flexibility to occasionally work on the weekends.
• Experience in people leadership would be advantageous.

Benefits and Why Join Us

• Career development opportunities.
• Friendly team focused on continuous improvements and safety.
• Employee benefit platform with discounts and offers for retailers online and offline, travelling, utilities and more.
• Matched pension scheme up to 10%.
• Employee Assistance Program, supporting your emotional, physical, nutritional and financial wellbeing.
• Inspiring People - Kerry's Global Recognition Program.
• OurVoice, opportunity to share your feedback on the work environment every year.
• OurShare, Kerry share plan available to all employees, with option to enroll once a year.
• MyCommunity, have one day per year to volunteer for a worthwhile cause.

About Kerry

A career with Kerry Taste & Nutrition offers you an opportunity to shape how people across the globe view food and beverage while providing you opportunities to explore and grow as your interests do. With our commitment to a sustainable future, a career with Kerry is something you can feel good about.

Kerry is the world\'s leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers\' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you with opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

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.

Beware of scams online or from individuals claiming to represent us. A Kerry employee will not solicit candidates through a non-Kerry email address or phone number. In addition, Kerry does not currently utilise video chat rooms (e.g., Google Hangouts) to conduct interviews. Refuse any request that asks you to provide payment to participate in the hiring process (e.g., purchasing a “starter kit,” investing in training, or something similar). Kerry will not ask you to pay any money at any point in the hiring process with the exception of reimbursable travel expenses. In addition, any payments made by Kerry will be from official firm accounts bearing the Kerry name.

Recruiter: #LI-AP2 Posting Type: LI