Sampling Specialist

Abbott Laboratories; Pokeno; On-site; NZD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott Laboratories in New Zealand’s Waikato region (Pokeno Plant) seeks a Sampling Specialist to execute laboratory sampling tasks, ensuring timeliness and compliance to support product release and quality assurance. You will coordinate requests, label and document samples, and maintain traceability across internal teams.

The role requires experience in lab environments, familiarity with dairy/food standards, and the ability to work with multiple stakeholders while upholding safety and

Qualifications

• Experience in a laboratory environment with sample registration and laboratory systems.
• Knowledge of dairy or food industry quality standards is advantageous.
• Science degree or similar qualification is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Collect and prepare samples according to approved procedures.
• Complete sampling and testing on time to support product release.
• Coordinate sampling requests with internal teams.
• Ensure samples are correctly labelled, documented and traceable.
• Dispatch samples to laboratories on time and in the correct condition.
• Identify and escalate sampling issues and support quality investigations.

Skills

Laboratory experience

Dairy industry knowledge

Sampling

Team collaboration

Education

Science qualification (e.g. Microbiology or Chemistry)

Tools

Laboratory information systems

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION: Job Title: Sampling Specialist Division: Abbott Nutrition Supply Chain, New Zealand Overview The purpose of the Sampling Specialist role is to complete laboratory sampling activities in a timely and compliant manner, supporting product release, quality assurance, technical requests, and customer and sales requirements.

Core Job

• Collect and prepare samples according to approved procedures.
• Complete sampling and testing on time to support product release.
• Coordinate sampling requests with internal teams.
• Ensure samples are correctly labelled, documented, and traceable.
• Dispatch samples to laboratories on time and in the correct condition.
• Identify and upscale sampling issues and support quality investigations.
• Maintain sampling areas, equipment, and support continuous improvement.

Quality, Safety and Environmental

• Attend regular departmental meetings with relevant manager/supervisor to build in continuous feedback mechanisms.
• Meet the requirements of ISO by complying with all relevant Quality policies and procedures to ensure the Quality objectives of the business are met.
• Comply with all relevant company Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental policies, procedures, and work practices with the intent of preventing or minimizing accidental exposures to self, colleagues and/or the environment.
• Ensure any PPE provided by the Abbott is worn and maintained.
• Report any accidents or incidents within 24 hours through allocated system and notify your manager.
• Conduct Ensure all activities are performed in accordance with legislative requirements, employment policies, Health & Safety requirements, and global policies.
• Promote excellence in quality and customer focus.
• Uphold the Code of Business Conduct.
• Demonstrate company values – Pioneering, Achieving, Caring, Enduring.
• Maintain current knowledge of standard operating procedures and policies and always ensure compliance at all times.
• Ensure all company-related activities comply with applicable legislation, legal requirements, and ethical standards.

Essential Requirements

• Timekeeping Compliance Ensure the timely completion of the timesheet via allocated system.
• Compliance and Training Requirements Completion of all assigned Training to this role by the scheduled due date is mandatory.

Travel Requirements

• Current and valid driver's license, with the flexibility to travel to other sites (occasionally) as required to support business needs.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience working in a laboratory environment, including sample registration processes and the use of laboratory systems, is desirable.
• Knowledge of food or dairy industry standards and relevant quality systems is an advantage.
• Experience in the dairy or food industry, preferably with sampling experience, is an advantage.
• A qualification in science (e.g. Microbiology or Chemistry) is an advantage.
• Ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills.

Note: This job description describes the principal and main elements of the job. It is a guide to the nature and main duties of the job as they currently exist but is not intended as a wholly comprehensive or permanent schedule and is not part of the contract of employment.

The base pay for this position is N/A/hour In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

Job Details

• JOB FAMILY: Operations Quality
• DIVISION: ANSC Nutrition Supply Chain
• LOCATION: New Zealand > Waikato: Pokeno Plant
• ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:
• WORK SHIFT: Standard
• TRAVEL: No
• MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Not Applicable
• SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day)

Abbott is about the power of health. For more than 135 years, Abbott has been helping people reach their potential — because better health allows people and communities to achieve more. With a diverse, global network serving customers in more than 160 countries, we create new solutions — across the spectrum of health, around the world, for all stages of life. Whether it’s next‑generation diagnostics, life‑changing devices, science‑based nutrition, or novel reformulations, we are advancing some of the most innovative and revolutionary technologies in healthcare, helping people live their best lives through better health. The people of Abbott come to work each day with relentless energy, enthusiasm and a promise to enhance the health and well-being of millions of people. They push the boundaries to help manage and treat some of life’s greatest health challenges. We invite you to explore opportunities at Abbott, to see if your talents and career aspirations may fit with our openings.

An equal opportunity employer, Abbott welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce.

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