Thirsk, North Yorkshire | Permanent | Site-basedWe're excited to be recruiting for a Laboratory Technician to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced laboratory or quality professional, perfect for someone passionate about food safety, quality standards and supporting the smooth running of our manufacturing operations.You'll be responsible for assisting in the running of the Group Laboratory and laboratory information management system (LIMS) at Dalton Mill, including intake, weighbridge sampling and analysis of ingredients, work in process and finished products, ensuring all materials meet specification and are safe for production.About usINSPIRED Pet Nutrition is an innovative, well-established, and award-winning pet food manufacturer employing over 1,200 colleagues across the UK and Europe. Our family of brands includes Harringtons, Wagg, Barking Heads & Meowing Heads, AATU, Blink, Butcher's, Classic, Pro-Nutrition, and Ultra Premium Direct, along with a number of partner brands that trust us to produce food on their behalf. Our kitchens in Thirsk, Kinmel, and Crick produce a wide range of dry, wet, and baked foods enjoyed by dogs and cats all over the world. Our ambition is simple: to become a global leader in pet nutrition.Our Purpose: To create happinessWe're on a mission to set a new standard of workplace happiness within the pet nutrition industry—one that looks like no other and feels like no other. Our culture is built on INSPIRED's unique behaviours and colleague experience, creating an environment that excites, empowers, and puts people and pets at the heart of everything we do.Responsibilities
Sample and direct all goods into Dalton Mill, including intake and weighbridge sampling
Raise and log non-conformances (NCs) where materials do not meet target specification, supporting investigations and close-out actions
Create NC reports where required and support communication with relevant stakeholders
Record and communicate laboratory results objectively and in a timely manner via LIMS
Assist in the analytical review of raw materials (RM), work in progress (WIP) and finished products (FP) in line with scheduled testing
Use and maintain the raw material, packaging and finished product library to review against target specifications
Escalate food safety and quality concerns in line with site guidance
Support chemical and microbiological investigations where adverse results occur
Use laboratory equipment appropriately and safely, raising equipment-related non-conformances where required
Support KPI tracking and reporting within the laboratory function
Carry out some reception-based duties as the laboratory is located at the site entrance, including greeting visitors and vehicles
Undertake manual handling and movement of samples as part of daily intake and testing activities
Promote and uphold health and safety standards within the laboratory environmentAbout you
Experience working within a laboratory, food manufacturing or quality environment is desirable
Level 4 Food Science qualification (or equivalent) is desirable
Level 2 Health and Safety qualification is desirable
Knowledge of BRC standards and food safety requirements
Comfortable using web-based systems, databases or Excel
Strong attention to detail with the ability to report results accurately and objectively
Confident communicator, able to raise concerns and escalate appropriately
Comfortable with manual handling as part of day-to-day duties
Professional and welcoming when greeting visitors and vehicles on site
A proactive mindset with a keen interest in quality and continuous improvementAt INSPIRED, we want to inspire colleagues to join, stay, develop, and achieve, creating an inclusive and sustainable business fit for growth. One of the enablers of achieving this, is to offer competitive pay and benefits to all colleagues.Our Total Reward Benefits include:Enhanced pension, life assurance, and enhanced maternity, paternity, sick pay, and holiday buy optionsPeople and Pets First benefits, including paw-reavement and paw-ternity leave and bring your dog to workHealthcare cashback plan and Hertility at-home fertility testingHeavily discounted pet food and lifestyle benefits (Netflix, Spotify, or breakdown cover)Retail and gym discounts, electric car scheme, and free onsite parking and electric car chargingOnsite canteen, free hot drinks, and modern facilities See all our INSPIRED benefits hereEquality, Diversity & InclusionINSPIRED Pet Nutrition is committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the colleagues and communities we serve. We believe everyone should feel valued, respected and able to be themselves at work. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We make hiring decisions based on talent, potential and the experience you bring.We are also committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace, ensuring equitable access and opportunity for all. If you need any adjustments or support to take part in our recruitment process, please let us know by emailing