Laboratory Technician

The Laboratory is a vital link in the chain within the company and enables us to ensure food safety for our customers.

The successful candidate will join our friendly laboratory team and will be trained in microbiological, nutritional and allergen testing to CLAS standards (3rd Party Accreditation).

The laboratory team are multi-skilled and cover all aspects of laboratory work from the use of high tech testing equipment to general cleaning duties.

This role will allow progression to become fully competent in the Chemistry and Microbiology Methods, including sample preparation, routine testing of food products, environmental samples and raw materials.

The laboratory technician will be required to process, analyse and report results for samples for microbiological, nutritional and allergen testing, in line with documented methods and procedures.  

This will include sample and media preparation as required, correct use of laboratory equipment and carrying out necessary QC checks within the laboratory. The laboratory technician will be responsible for assessment of results and subsequent release and or holding of product during laboratory working hours which will include weekends. The laboratory technician will also communicate non-conformances including out of spec results to Supervisor and stakeholders within the business, and carry out additional testing and/or investigations to identify root cause.  

Competitive Salary + Bonus + Benefit

apetito is the UK's leading food supplier to the health and social care sectors serving more than 1,300 care homes, health care and education settings.

Our meals are expertly crafted by our dieticians and chefs, and then frozen to lock in the goodness.

Wiltshire Farm Foods, our sister company, is the UK's largest ready meal supplier cooking and delivering over 330 different delicious frozen ready meals across the UK.

• Process the day's samples through the Laboratories, from sample receipt to final processing of results.
• Have full knowledge of, sample preparation and testing activities and be proficient in all methods.
• Enter all results onto relevant data bases and report as necessary.
• Complete all require paperwork including for traceability.
• Perform QC checks.Achieve and maintain competence in all required methods.
• Maintain cleanliness and sterility of equipment along with general cleaning duties.
• Willingness to learn all aspects of the work in all areas of the Laboratory.
• Willingness to take part in activities outside of the laboratory when required.

Essential:

• GCSE level or equivalent Mathematics and English
• Computer literate
• Experience of working as part of a team with a "can do "attitude.

Desirable:

• Basic Food Hygiene
• GCSE in a science subject
• Experience of working in a laboratory
• Experience of using SAP
• Experience within the food industry

Personal Qualities:

Essential/ Desirable:

• Able to follow instructions
• Organised and accurate approach to work
• Enthusiastic
• Able to work on own initiative
• Reliable
• Good sense of humour
• Genuine interest in science
• Enjoys learning new skills
• Enjoys working as part of a team
• Attention to detail
• Dextrous

The position is an 8.00am to 4.00pm shift and after training there will be a requirement for some weekend working as the Laboratory covers 7 days per week.

• Competitive salary – accredited Living Wage employer
• 25 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday per year
• Discretionary annual bonus scheme
• Pension scheme - employer matched contributions up to 4%
• Life assurance scheme worth at least 1x annual salary
• Subsidised canteen
• Free parking
• Free turkey or voucher at Christmas
• apetito perks scheme including salary sacrifice options and retail discounts

As a family-owned business, we take great pride in being a company that makes a real difference and is dedicated to creating outstanding meals to be proud of.

We develop a range of products designed to enhance health and well-being for all our customers.

We are driven by a passion for service and dedicated to feeding some of the UK's most vulnerable people.

We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040.

Our ethical standards are recognised by the ETI and we are an accredited Living Wage employer.Learn more about apetito's commitment to a more sustainable future.

We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Our commitment to making a real difference extends to customers, communities, and staff and we're on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential.