Laboratory Technician

Clutha NZ; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave from day one

Staff meat sales discounts

Employee assistance program

Supportive team environment

Job summary

Silver Fern Farms is seeking a Laboratory Technician to join our Finegand operations in Auckland. You will perform sampling, preparation, and analytical testing to support food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

The role involves maintaining laboratory standards, reporting results, and contributing to continuous improvement. Hours are 8am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday, with weekend work as needed. A proactive team player with attention to detail will thrive here.

Qualifications

• Experience or foundational knowledge of laboratory practices, particularly analytical testing.
• Strong attention to detail and a high standard of record keeping.
• Understanding of food safety and quality systems; meat industry experience advantageous but not essential.
• Good computer literacy (Word and Excel).
• Clear communication and ability to build effective working relationships.
• Proactive approach to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Carry out sampling, preparation, and analytical testing in line with monitoring programmes and documented procedures.
• Ensure high standards of accuracy, precision, and consistency in all laboratory testing.
• Calibrate and maintain laboratory equipment in accordance with schedules and compliance requirements.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and well-organised laboratory that meets health and safety standards.
• Provide accurate, timely reporting for technical, quality, and compliance purposes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and problem-solving within the laboratory.
• Follow all health, safety, and wellness procedures, always ensuring safe work practices.

Skills

Analytical testing knowledge

Attention to detail

Record keeping

Computer literacy

Communication skills

Safety & continuous improvement

Job description

As aLaboratory Technician, you’ll be an integral part of our Finegand operations, ensuring chemical and microbiological testing is carried out accurately, safely, and on time. This is a hands‑on, detail‑focused role that plays a vital part in supporting food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

Working closely with the Laboratory Manager and wider technical teams, you’ll deliver reliable testing outcomes while helping maintain strong laboratory standards and a positive team culture. Your work directly supports site operations and the trust our customers place in our products.

Work hours are 8am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday, with occasional sampling and weekend work required outside these hours.

• Carry out sampling, preparation, and analytical testing in line with Silver Fern Farms monitoring programmes and documented procedures
• Ensure high standards of accuracy, precision, and consistency in all laboratory testing
• Calibrate and maintain laboratory equipment in accordance with schedules and compliance requirements
• Maintain a clean, safe, and well‑organised laboratory that meets health and safety standards
• Provide accurate, timely reporting for technical, quality, and compliance purposes
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and problem‑solving within the laboratory
• Follow all health, safety, and wellness procedures, always ensuring safe work practices

You’re detail-oriented, reliable, and take pride in producing accurate work. You understand the importance of compliance in a regulated environment and enjoy working as part of a close‑knit technical team.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Experience or foundational knowledge of laboratory practices, particularly analytical testing
• Strong attention to detail and a high standard of record keeping
• An understanding of food safety and quality systems (meat industry experience is advantageous but not essential)
• Good computer literacy, including Microsoft Word and Excel
• Clear communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships
• A proactive approach to safety, quality, and continuous improvement

Te Ahurea / Why Work at Silver Fern Farms?

At Silver Fern Farms, everything we do is driven by our purpose:Creating Goodness from the Farms the World Needs. That means being good to our people, our communities, our animals, and our environment.

When you join us, you’ll benefit from:

• Heavily discounted staff meat sales through our on‑site Butcher’s Block
• Paid sick leave from day one
• Confidential employee assistance for wellbeing, financial advice, and career support
• A supportive team environment within a stable, respected New Zealand business

Silver Fern Farms welcomes people from all backgrounds and walks of life. We are proud to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all.

• Classifications: Accommodation & Food Services,Manufacturing,Other Services,