Job Title: Team Leader – Laboratory   Department: Laboratory  
Base Location: Tewkesbury
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, 5 days out of 7 on a shift pattern  
Responsible to: Laboratory Manager  
Supervises: Lab Technicians  

About Us:  
Cotteswold Dairy, established in 1938, is one of the UK’s leading independent, family-owned dairies. We proudly support local farmers and communities by delivering high-quality dairy products, with a commitment to excellence and first-class customer service.

Role Overview:
As a Laboratory Team Leader, you will oversee a team of Lab Technicians responsible for ensuring product quality through sampling and testing. Working closely with the Laboratory Manager, you will guide your team to meet company and legislative standards. This role requires a keen eye for detail, strong leadership skills, and a collaborative spirit to support our vision of delivering the finest quality products while fostering a positive work environment.

Key Responsibilities:
- Supervise Lab Technicians: Provide direction, support, and mentoring to ensure that all testing procedures and protocols are followed.  
- Maintain Product Quality: Oversee the sampling and testing of products, ensuring accurate and timely results to maintain high standards of product quality control.  
- Compliance: Ensure that all lab activities comply with company policies, industry regulations, and legislative requirements, particularly concerning food hygiene and safety standards.  
- Test Monitoring: Assist in the performance and review of microbiological tests, antibiotic detection, and shelf-life testing, ensuring precision and accuracy.  
- Training & Development: Support the professional growth of Lab Technicians by providing training and ensuring that all team members are competent in lab practices and equipment use.  
- Collaboration: Work closely with the Laboratory Manager to address issues, implement process improvements, and meet department targets.  
- Cleanliness & Safety: Ensure that laboratory areas are kept clean, safe, and well-organised, promoting a culture of responsibility and attention to detail within the team.  
- Shift Management: Coordinate team shifts, ensuring adequate coverage across all working hours and flexibility to manage peak periods or emergencies.  

Essential Skills & Competencies:  
- Leadership Skills: Experience in managing or supervising a team, with a strong ability to motivate, support, and guide team members.  
- Detail-Oriented: Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and precision in testing and reporting.  
- Organisational Skills: Excellent time management and the ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure.  
- Team Player: Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and foster a positive team environment.  
- Adaptability: Flexibility to cover shifts and work under tight deadlines.  
- Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for liaising with both internal teams and external stakeholders.

Desirable Skills & Qualifications:
- Previous laboratory experience in the dairy or food industry (advantageous but not essential, as training is provided).  
- Knowledge of microbiology, food hygiene, and quality control standards.  
- A qualification in biological sciences or a related field.  

Why Join Cotteswold Dairy?
At Cotteswold Dairy, we are committed to fostering a culture of teamwork and continuous improvement. As a Laboratory Team Leader, you will play a key role in supporting our mission to deliver high-quality products while providing mentorship and development opportunities for your team. If you are passionate about leadership and quality control, this is an excellent opportunity to take the next step in your career.

Apply today to join a dedicated team at the heart of the dairy industry!