Laboratory Technician

Hollybank Trustees Ltd; Edgeworthstown; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

C&D Foods in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, Ireland, is seeking a Laboratory Technician to support food safety, quality and product compliance within the on-site laboratory.

You'll perform raw material and finished product testing, maintain records and assist with continuous improvement initiatives. The role requires a food science qualification and laboratory experience, with familiarity of GLP and the ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team.

Qualifications

• Third level qualification in Food Science or related discipline and experience of working in a laboratory.
• Experience using NIR, spectrophotometer, texture analyzer and viscometer is an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to deal with all levels of the organization.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to multitask, manage time, and take initiative.

Responsibilities

• Operate the on-site laboratory efficiently in line with GLP and maintain audit readiness.
• Conduct daily chemical testing of raw materials and finished products per Testing Schedule.
• Perform monthly mineral analysis (Calcium, Phosphorus, Sodium) and species testing on selected materials.
• Carry out physical testing of intermediate products and conducted analyses for finished products.
• Test effluent daily and report results; monitor boiler water weekly and report findings.
• Assist in sourcing and purchasing of laboratory materials and equipment and maintain stock levels.

Skills

Excellent communication

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Organisational skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related discipline

Tools

NIR (Food Scan 2 Meat Analyzer)

Spectrophotometer

Texture Analyzer

Viscometer

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location: On site / Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, Ireland
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: FMCG | Product
Salary: Negotiable salary

C&D Foods is one of Europe's leading own label pet food manufacturers producing a range of wet and dry pet foods. C&D Foods has grown to become one of the industry's leading pet food producers. C&D Foods has 9 production facilities across 7 Countries (Ireland, the UK, France, Denmark, Austria, Spain, and The Netherlands) and 2 sales offices located in Manchester and Italy. C&D Foods's Headquarters is in Mullingar, county Westmeath.

Join our Quality Team as a Laboratory Technician and help support food safety, quality, and product compliance across our site. Working in our on-site laboratory, you will carry out testing of raw materials and finished products, maintain laboratory records and equipment, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

This is an excellent opportunity for a detail-oriented individual with a Food Science qualification and laboratory experience to develop their career in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

Role Overview

• The Laboratory Technician is a key member of the Quality Team involved in the day to day running of the on-site laboratory.

Key Relationships

• Quality Manager / Deputy Quality Manager.
• Quality Team.
• Site R&D Technologist.
• Product Development Team.
• Laboratory equipment suppliers.

Key Responsibilities

• Operation of Laboratory efficiently in line with G.L.P and ensure audit ready at all times.
• Daily chemical testing of raw materials and finished product as per Testing Schedule.
• This includes meats and finished product in Pouches, Alutrays & Cans.
• Monthly Mineral Analysis - Calcium, Phosphorous, Sodium.
• Species testing on selected MRM materials.
• Physical testing of intermediate products (Gels/Guars) / Batch.
• Daily testing of effluent and results reporting.
• Weekly testing of boiler water and results reporting.
• Sourcing and purchasing of laboratory materials and equipment.
• Maintenance of adequate stocks at all times.
• Installation and calibration of new equipment in the laboratory. Initial calibrations and subsequent calibrations for finished products (pouch, alutray, cans) and raw materials and reporting and trending findings.
• Liaise with departmental colleagues on current development projects.
• Preparation and circulation of Analytical Reports and Trending.
• Trending and reporting of out of spec results for both finished products and raw materials.
• Co-Ordination of Shelf-Life Extensions for raw materials (Dry).
• Participate in Cleaning Validations.
• Quality Records Review
• Possess an awareness of the manufacturing process and finished products.

Personal Competencies and Qualifications

• Third level qualification in Food Science or related discipline and experience of working in a laboratory.
• Experience in use of NIR (Food Scan 2 Meat Analyzer), Spectrophotometer, Texture Analyzer and Viscometer an advantage.
• Excellent Communication Skills with the ability to deal with all levels of the organization.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to multitask, manage time, and take initiative.
• Microsoft Office knowledge (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Experience of document control system and quality information system, with a strong emphasis on data interpretation.
• The ability to work independently or collaboratively as part of a cross functional team.
• Be highly customer focused.
• Be innovative, willing, and engaged in ongoing training on new processes & operations.
• Good Problem Solving & Decision-Making Skills.
• Must be flexible with a willingness to adapt to change. A "Can Do" attitude.