Laboratory Technician

Dale Farm Cooperative is a UK dairy farmer co-operative owned by over 1200 dairy farmers who supply us with fresh milk. Dale Farm has operations throughout the UK and Ireland producing and distributing a wide range of dairy products which it sells across the UK and Ireland as well as exporting to over 45 countries worldwide.

At Dale Farm virtually every career discipline is represented in our workforce, from production, engineering and distribution, to sales & marketing and food technology/quality assurance, to Finance, HR and IT through to general management. Our standards are high and when we recruit we are looking for those with energy and drive, who are keen for responsibility and motivated to succeed with a record of achievement and with the potential to develop as the company grows.

Our culture is based on setting best in class standards, working to-wards and delivering on committed objectives, striving for constant improvement and involving everyone in the company. We strive to develop our people and harness everyone's contribution to deliver a winning team.

The company is an Equal Opportunities employer and is committed to a safe, inclusive and relationship based workspace.

In return, we offer a high degree of responsibility, plenty of challenge, good opportunities for learning and personal development and rewarding benefit packages, all within a fast moving and results oriented environment.

Reporting to the Technical & Quality Manager you will be responsible for the following duties:

• Testing of raw materials & finished product for physical and chemical parameters
• Manage all other Testing requirement as outline in the Testing Schedule – Nutritional, Shelf Life, Swabs, Proficiency etc.
• Arrange all logging of products onto a LIMS system to send to our group laboratory for microbiological testing.
• Assist with the implementation of quality systems through internal auditing, traceability exercises, and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with our Production team to ensure sampling requirement are met.
• Complete the daily, weekly, and monthly glass and hard plastic audits.
• Complete CofA’s.
• Ensure calibrations of equipment is carried out as per schedule.
• Manage the Testing of Trial product.
• Manage the Library of retained samples.
• Maintain the Site Lab
  -e.g. stocks, hygiene, preparation of equipment.

This is an important role and we are looking for candidates who are able to work on their own initiative, work as part of a team, have great communication skills, high levels of attention to detail and be able to plan and organise work effectively. The candidate should be able to demonstrate scientific knowledge relating to chemical and microbiological criteria associated with Dairy products.

Applicants must be third level educated, with an applied science degree preferably in food science or technology and ideally have chemical and microbiological laboratory experience through either work or academic studies. Previous experience of quality control, HACCP and internal auditing within the food industry would be advantageous.

This is an excellent opportunity for candidates who wish to develop their skills and widen their knowledge within the quality function of a busy food manufacturing environment.

As a leading food company we offer plenty of opportunity for personal development, an excellent benefit package including pension and life assurance and a pleasant working environment.

Completed applications must be received before5.00pm on Friday 9 th October 2026

You can find out more about our organisation on our Linked In and Facebook Career pages and on our company website where you will find the link to apply:

Only applications from EU Nationals or those with a valid permit to work in the UK will be accepted.