Operations Technician

Salary £28,000 - £32,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Benefits Casual dress, pension plan, Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP), 28 days holiday per annum, growth opportunities

We are seeking a practical and reliable Operations Technician to support the day-to-day operation of Lab Cycle's plastic waste recycling processes and facility. Working closely with the CTO and technical team, you will play a hands‑on role in operating, monitoring, and maintaining our decontamination and extrusion systems. This role is critical to ensuring safe, efficient, and high‑quality processing of laboratory plastic waste into recycled feedstock.

This is a fully on‑site role suited to someone who takes ownership of operational standards, works methodically, and thrives in a structured, process‑driven environment.

• 1 Operate and monitor core processing systems (decontamination and extrusion), ensuring safe and consistent daily throughput in line with SOPs.
• 2 Maintain process quality and compliance, including accurate logging of batch data, material traceability, and adherence to health, safety, and contamination‑control protocols.
• 3 Conduct routine inspections, cleaning, and preventative maintenance, escalating faults or performance deviations promptly.
• 4 Manage material handling and waste intake, including loading, segregation verification, and preparation of materials for processing.
• 5 Contribute to operational efficiency, identifying practical improvements to increase throughput, reduce downtime, and maintain high site standards.

• Operational discipline and attention to detail — Able to follow structured processes precisely and maintain consistent standards.
• Strong safety mindset — Understands the importance of controlled environments and compliance in waste and industrial operations.
• Mechanical aptitude — Comfortable working with industrial equipment and carrying out basic troubleshooting and adjustments.
• Reliability and accountability — Punctual, dependable, and takes ownership of daily operational output.
• Team‑oriented and proactive — Communicates clearly, supports colleagues, and contributes positively within a small, fast‑scaling team.

As Lab Cycle scales, this role can evolve in several directions depending on your interests and strengths.

Progress to Shift Manager, with a path toward Operation Manager.

Shift Manager Take responsibility for the daily shift‑based operation of Auto Decon units. Manage a team of operators, ensure safety and quality protocols are followed, and oversee immediate troubleshooting and maintenance coordination.

Operation Manager (longer‑term) Develop and manage operational schedules, processes, and performance metrics for multiple units. Lead operation planning, budgeting, bidding, industrial partnership and strategic execution to support wider company deployment and growth.

Account Manager Act as the primary technical point of contact for client laboratories. Support client onboarding, training, and ensure their ongoing operational success. Gather and translate client feedback into actionable product and process improvements. Work closely with engineering and commercial teams to support new deployments and renewals.