Laboratory Manager
1 day ago
Ellesmere Port
Westland Horticulture is a market leader in the UK gardening industry, known for delivering high-quality growing media, fertilisers, and plant care products. With a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and product excellence, we are proud to support gardeners across the UK and beyond. As we continue to grow, we are looking for a Technical Laboratory Officer to join our Technical Team and play a key role in maintaining product quality and driving innovation within our manufacturing operations. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and detail-oriented individual with a scientific background who enjoys hands-on laboratory work in a fast-paced production environment. You’ll be responsible for ensuring the quality and consistency of our products through a range of analytical testing and process controls. Key Responsibilities • Calibrate and verify laboratory equipment and process controls, • Carry out routine and monthly analysis on raw materials and finished goods, • Identify non-conforming materials and support corrective actions, • Monitor growing media and fertiliser production to ensure specifications are met, • Maintain strict contamination control standards, • Support continuous improvement and innovation within the Technical Team, • Manage laboratory documentation including SOPs, training records, and H&S compliance, • Maintain product specifications, labelling, and packaging information, • Support GMP audits and work with H&S teams to resolve issues, • Review production data to ensure compliance with internal and legal standards, • Support new product development (NPD) and technical trials, • Conduct batch release and in-process testing, • Provide technical support to production teams, • Maintain COSHH and MSDS documentation, • Operate and maintain the Fertiliser Pilot Plant, • Manage retained samples for stability testing and complaint investigations About You • Highly organised with excellent attention to detail, • Strong communicator with the ability to work across multiple teams, • Proactive and solutions-focused, • Able to manage workload effectively in a fast-paced environment, • A collaborative team player with a hands-on approach Skills & Experience Essential: • Minimum 6 months’ laboratory experience (including placements), ideally within manufacturing or industry, • Strong understanding of laboratory procedures and analytical testing Desirable: • Experience with Ion Chromatography or HPLC, • Knowledge of calibration standards and analytical techniques, • A-Level Chemistry (minimum); degree in Chemistry, Life Sciences, or related field preferred, • Experience working in a production or manufacturing environment Why Join Westland? At Westland, you’ll be part of a forward-thinking, innovative business where quality and sustainability are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a supportive team environment, opportunities for development, and the chance to make a real impact within a growing organisation.