Lab Senior Technician Operative - Microbiologist (& Production Analytical QA) - East Kilbride

Lab Senior Technician Operative  – Microbiologist (+ Production Analytical QA) – East Kilbride
Permanent –  42 annualised hour contract (12 hour shifts days and nights - 7 days a week)

Salary: £58,823 (including shift allowance)

Structured career development + Annual performance related pay bonus and pay reviews + Share scheme + Competitive pension contributions + Laundered uniform + All safety equipment provided + Range of flexible benefits and Corporate discounts, holiday buy/sell scheme, optional health care + life assurance + Free parking + Free hot and cold drinks and subsidised canteen + Excellent parental benefits + Flexible working

What you become part of:

East Kilbride Operations produce 32 million raw cases of drinks per year across their 4 production lines - 2 glass bottle, 2 PET bottle (plastic). This is the only site in GB that produces our Appletiser products in glass. There will be 220 employees by the end of 2024 site and experience here can lead to excellent career opportunities both in East Kilbride and further afield across other GB sites and Europacific locations. 

What to expect: 

You will become a key member of the site Food Safety team, performing and monitoring food safety related microbiological tests in line with company and legal requirements.  You will identify trends and opportunities for improvement and recommend any associated preventative and corrective actions.  Key responsibilities include:

• Work consistently with operational teams to continually develop quality performance and compliance
• Review Food Safety performance and compliance against existing plans, identify gaps and recommend corrective and preventative actions as required, being a key member in trouble shooting
• Support the launch of new sensitive products by execution and coordination of microbiology checks
• Complete microbiological analysis as part of the investigation into complaints to identify the (potential) source/root cause to enable resolution
• Co-ordinate and support site validation activities relating to facility, equipment, hygiene and CIP (Clean in Place) systems
• Provide routine and ad-hoc microbiological reports, monitor performance and initiate relevant actions for results or trends
• Routinely review microbiology testing data to identify adverse trends to avoid non-conformances against the standards
• Manage and maintain condition and supply of microbiology testing equipment, consumables and laboratory facilities
• Ensure efficiency of laboratory operations by identifying and exploiting new technologies
• Provide basic microbiological training to other roles to expand site capabilities and flexibility
• Perform internal audits, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), Hygiene audits and compliance checks
• Help to develop the microbiology lab to aid internal speciation
• At times, you will be required to support the Production Quality Assurance lab, by performing on line and in lab analytical testing and management of non conformance where applicable.  Your flexibility in this area is key.  Training will be provided.
• Supporting site Quality 4.0 aspirations.

Skills & Essentials: 

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in Microbiology 
• Previous work experience of practical microbiological testing on food products
• Good communication skills are essential
• Methodical and organised
• Good understanding of statistical process control and problem solving

The closing date for applications is 31/07/25. We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of applications. To ensure you are considered for this role, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.