Laboratory Technician

Laboratory Technician

Location:

Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire Department:
Laboratory / Technical

Hours:

37.5 hours per week Days worked:
Monday to Sunday on a five-day rotating basis Shift times:
Weekday shifts rotate between 05:30, 06:00, 07:00 and 12:00;
Saturday at 08:00;
Sunday at 06:00 Join Our Laboratory Team Cotteswold Dairy is looking for a reliable, accurate and detail-focused Laboratory Technician to join our busy Laboratory team in Tewkesbury. This is an important role within our Technical Department, helping to ensure the safety, quality and compliance of our raw milk and pasteurised dairy products. You will support the delivery of a high-quality laboratory service through routine sampling, microbiological testing, compositional testing and chemical testing within a fast-paced dairy manufacturing environment.

If you take pride in accuracy, enjoy working to clear standards and want to be part of a team that genuinely cares about quality, food safety and doing things the right way, this could be an excellent opportunity for you. About Cotteswold Dairy Cotteswold Dairy is one of the UKs leading independent, family-owned dairies. Based in Tewkesbury, we produce and distribute fresh dairy products to customers, wholesale buyers and depots across the UK.

Our Laboratory team plays a vital part in protecting product quality, food safety and customer confidence. From testing raw milk to monitoring pasteurised products, the team helps ensure that our products meet company, customer and legislative standards every day.

The Role - Laboratory Technician As a Laboratory Technician at Cotteswold Dairy, you will carry out a range of laboratory duties to support quality control, food safety and legal compliance. You will work closely with the Laboratory Manager and wider Technical team, following strict laboratory procedures, Good Laboratory Practice standards and food safety requirements. The role will involve sampling and testing dairy products, recording and interpreting results, maintaining accurate records and helping to ensure that laboratory areas remain clean, organised and compliant.

Key Responsibilities Carry out sampling and testing of raw milk and pasteurised dairy products Complete microbiological testing using aseptic techniques Carry out compositional and chemical testing, including butterfat content, freezing point depression, alkaline phosphatase activity and antibiotic residue testing Accurately interpret and record laboratory results Monitor HACCP controls and support food safety compliance Carry out water testing using titration methods Complete and issue customer Certificates of Analysis based on laboratory results Maintain laboratory areas in a clean, tidy and compliant condition Follow COSHH, Health and Safety, Food Safety and Good Laboratory Practice requirements Communicate clearly with the Laboratory Manager, Technical team and wider business where required Undertake any other reasonable laboratory duties to support the efficient operation of the department

What Were Looking For Excellent attention to detail, with a strong focus on accuracy and precision Ability to work effectively in a busy, fast-paced environment Ability to prioritise workload and manage multiple tasks at the same time A positive, proactive attitude with a high level of commitment and motivation Confidence working both independently and as part of a team Strong written and verbal communication skills Basic IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications Ability to work a rotating shift pattern, including weekend shifts Ability to work to tight deadlines while maintaining high standards Willingness to participate in sensory testing, including the evaluation of pasteurised dairy products Desirable Skills and Experience Previous laboratory experience, ideally within the dairy or food industry Understanding of standard laboratory practices and accurate record keeping Knowledge of microbiology, food hygiene and food safety principles Understanding of HACCP and quality control standards Knowledge of dairy manufacturing processes and quality standards GCSEs or equivalent in English, Mathematics and Science A-Level or equivalent in Biology, Chemistry or a related scientific subject Previous laboratory experience would be advantageous, but full training will be provided for the right candidate with the right attitude, accuracy and willingness to learn.

Training and Development Cotteswold Dairy offers clear progression pathways and…