We are looking for an experienced and motivated Laboratory Lead to lead our Auckland Laboratory and Laboratory Technicians. This is a hands-on leadership role where you will ensure accurate and timely testing, support positive product release, maintain strong laboratory systems, and partner with site teams to protect food safety, product quality and customer confidence.
About the role
In this role, you will lead day-to-day laboratory operations while driving accuracy, efficiency, compliance and continuous improvement. You will play a key part in ensuring raw materials and finished products are tested, reviewed and released in line with site requirements, while supporting non-conformance resolution, audit readiness and right-first-time performance.
What you will do
Lead, coach and develop a capable Laboratory Technician team, ensuring safe work practices, appropriate competency, shift coverage and high-quality service delivery.
Oversee laboratory operations, including sample control, sensory, water and shelf-life testing, external testing services, consumables, reference standards and good laboratory practices.
Ensure test results are accurate, cost-effective and delivered on time to support product release and site performance.
Maintain laboratory capability through equipment calibration, approved test methods, specifications, sampling plans, work instructions, competency records and complete, traceable laboratory data.
Own testing and positive release of raw materials and finished products, including review, disposition, traceability and timely SAP transactions.
Escalate food safety, legality, quality, regulatory or product-integrity concerns and support appropriate product hold and disposition decisions.
Support new product and change approvals by confirming specifications, testing capability, inspection plans, release requirements and operational readiness.
Partner with site teams to resolve quality issues, support audits and drive continuous improvement in laboratory performance.
RM and (New) Product release management
Own testing and positive release of raw materials and finished products, including review, disposition, traceability, and timely SAP transactions. Provide the third layer of verification of in-process controls for product release.
Immediately report and escalate any food safety, legality, quality, regulatory, or product-integrity concern, derived from test results or third verification for product release, and support appropriate product hold and disposition decisions.
Support quality approval for new products and changes, confirming specifications, testing capability, inspection plans, release requirements, and operational readiness.
Support functions via testing to resolve quality issues, protect customer service, and strengthen site-wide ownership of food safety and quality.
Support internal and external audits in the scope of laboratory responsibilities, including customer, regulatory, and certification audits, and ensure corrective actions are completed effectively and on time.
Site SAP Superuser
Undertake other reasonable duties as directed by the Food Safety and Quality Manager.
About you
You will be a confident laboratory or quality leader with strong technical judgement, attention to detail and the ability to influence across a manufacturing site. You will enjoy developing people, improving systems and using data to support practical, risk-based decision-making.
What you will bring
A degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Chemistry or a related discipline.
Experience leading a laboratory, quality-control or technical team within a food manufacturing environment or similar.
Strong knowledge of laboratory operations, product testing and release, calibration, technical records and non-conformance management.
Working knowledge of HACCP, GMP, allergen management, risk assessment and GFSI-benchmarked standards.
Experience applying root cause analysis, CAPA, trend analysis, Statistical Process Control and process capability principles.
Proficiency in SAP quality-control, inspection, batch-status, traceability and release processes.
Why join us?
This is an opportunity to take ownership of a critical laboratory function, develop a capable team and make a direct impact on food safety, product quality and operational performance. You will work closely with cross-functional stakeholders in a role that combines technical leadership, people development and continuous improvement.
Ready to apply?
If you are a proactive laboratory leader who is passionate about quality, compliance and developing high-performing teams, we would love to hear from you