Job Description

About The Role

Laboratory Manager - Cotteswold Dairy (Tewkesbury)
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 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, 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 22 days' holiday plus bank holidays (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) Private Medical Insurance (after qualifying service)
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

About Us

About the Company About Cotteswold Dairy
Since 1938, Cotteswold Dairy has flourished from a modest milk round--delivering just 30 gallons a day using a bucket and ladle--into one of the UK's most respected independent, family-run dairies, rooted in Tewkesbury. Built on the founding values of quality, service, and cleanliness, the business has remained committed to those principles spanning three generations, now under the leadership of Managing Director George Workman.


Today, we process, pack, and deliver over 100 million litres of milk and dairy products each year to doorstep customers and businesses across England and Wales, operating from multiple depots and a modern production site in Tewkesbury.


At our heart lies a strong ethical and environmental commitment. We partner with local farms within a 60-mile radius--many Red Tractor-certified--promoting sustainable farming practices, animal welfare, and minimal environmental impact. We've championed eco-friendly initiatives for decades, including returnable glass bottles, electric milk floats, telematics for efficient logistics, and zero waste-to-landfill operations.


More than a business, Cotteswold Dairy is a values-driven community dedicated to delivering wholesome, high-quality dairy products while nurturing people, our communities, and our planet--making us a compelling and meaningful place to build your career.