Laboratory Technician — Food Safety & Quality Testing

Silver Fern Farms Limited; Balclutha; On-site; NZD 55,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff meat sales

Paid sick leave from day one

Employee assistance for wellbeing

Supportive team environment

Diversity and inclusion

Job summary

Silver Fern Farms Limited in Otago seeks a Laboratory Technician to carry out chemical and microbiological testing, ensuring accuracy, safety, and on-time delivery to support food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

You’ll work with the Laboratory Manager and technical team, perform sampling, calibrate equipment, maintain clean facilities, and report results to keep operations and customer trust high.

Qualifications

• Experience or foundational knowledge of laboratory practices, particularly analytical testing.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent record keeping.
• Understanding of food safety and quality systems; meat industry experience is helpful.
• Good computer literacy with 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 procedures.
• Ensure accuracy, precision, and consistency in all laboratory testing.
• Calibrate and maintain laboratory equipment per schedules.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and well-organised lab meeting health and safety standards.
• Provide accurate, timely reporting for technical, quality, and compliance purposes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and problem-solving within the lab.
• Follow health, safety, and wellness procedures; ensure safe work practices.

Skills

Analytical testing

Attention to detail

Record keeping

Food safety

Quality systems

Microsoft Word

Excel

Communication

Teamwork

Job description

Silver Fern Farms Limited in Otago seeks a Laboratory Technician to carry out chemical and microbiological testing, ensuring accuracy, safety, and on-time delivery to support food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

You’ll work with the Laboratory Manager and technical team, perform sampling, calibrate equipment, maintain clean facilities, and report results to keep operations and customer trust high.