Laboratory Manager

Laboratory Manager – Cotteswold Dairy (Tewkesbury)

Location:

Tewkesbury Production Site |

Hours:

40 hours, usually Monday - Friday (with flexibility for urgent operational needs) |  Department:  Technical |

Reports to:

Technical Manager

Join Team Cotteswold

Cotteswold Dairy is a long-established, family-owned business, proud to deliver quality dairy products with first-class service. We're seeking a dynamic, knowledgeable  Laboratory Manager  to confidently lead our laboratory function, develop our people, and work closely with the Technical team to uphold the high quality and standards of our family dairy. You'll ensure strict compliance with  BRCGS  certifications,  HACCP  protocols and food safety legislation while driving continuous improvement across testing, audit readiness, and documentation.

The Role – What You'll Lead    Own product  safety, quality and compliance  across all testing activities (raw materials, in-process, finished product, shelf life).
Plan and oversee  testing schedules , ensuring the correct methods are followed and results are recorded, monitored, analysed and trended.
Manage and develop the  Laboratory Technicians  and Team Leader; foster a collaborative, high-performance culture with clear communication on food safety and quality issues.
Maintain audit readiness: prepare for and participate in  site accreditation audits  (BRCGS), supporting the Technical Manager.
Ensure all  laboratory equipment  is maintained, calibrated, validated and serviced to schedule; manage new installs and verifications.
Coordinate  external laboratory  analysis and provide Certificates of Conformance to customers; initiate and manage  non-conformance  investigations with Technical and Production.
Champion  HACCP ,  Food Safety Management Systems , and robust laboratory procedures; oversee the Laboratory Manual and testing regimes in line with legislation and  COSHH .
Drive KPI reporting, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and  continuous improvement  of testing procedures and documentation.
Lead  sensory panel  training and uphold hygiene, housekeeping, and safety standards.
About You – Skills & Experience    Confident people leader with excellent  communication , problem-solving and coaching skills; experienced coordinating small teams in a lab environment.
Strong working knowledge of  BRCGS Food Safety ,  HACCP , CCP validation, microbiological safety and QMS platforms.
Hands-on background in a laboratory function (ideally  Food Science/Microbiology/Biology ); meticulous attention to detail in reporting and SOP writing.
Competent with  Microsoft Office  and comfortable with data trending/analysis.
Desirable    HNC/Degree in a science-related subject with strong knowledge of  Food Microbiology  and  Food Chemistry .
Knowledge of the  dairy industry  and laboratory accreditation standards.
Hours & Location

40 hours per week, usually Monday–Friday , based at our  Tewkesbury Production Site , with occasional out-of-hours presence for urgent operational needs.

Rewards & Benefits    Competitive salary with growth and development opportunities
30 days' holiday (rising after 3 years' service)
Cycle to Work scheme
Discounted products & doorstep delivery
Enhanced pension via Salary Exchange
Health & wellbeing support through Simply Health (post-probation)
About Cotteswold Dairy

Established in 1938, Cotteswold Dairy is one of the UK's leading independent family-owned dairies, supporting local farmers and communities with the freshest products and first-class customer service. We succeed as  Team Cotteswold —valuing each other and our customers—so our company remains the first preference for employees and customers alike, over the long term. Our purpose is to be at the heart of a responsible and sustainable dairy community.

How to Apply

If you're an experienced  Laboratory Manager  (or ambitious Laboratory Team Leader) with a passion for  food safety ,  BRCGS compliance  and  HACCP , we'd love to hear from you.
Laboratory Manager Food Safety BRCGS HACCP Quality Assurance Microbiology Dairy Audit Readiness QMS COSHH