Laboratory Manager

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