Assistant Laboratory Manager

Oceania Dairy is seeking a highly motivated individual to join our Laboratory team as an Assistant Laboratory Manager, working in collaboration with all departments across site to manage and meet demands, as well as extend laboratory services. The successful candidate will be responsible for day-to-day laboratory operations, coach and develop team leaders, maintain collaborative environment and drive continuous improvement.

Oceania Dairy is a dairy manufacturing plant located in Glenavy, South Canterbury, with a diverse workforce of 400 staff, who specialise in the creation of Milk Powder formula and UHT milk. This site has strong ties domestic and international partnerships due to its ownership by the Yili Group. The Yili Group are Asias leading dairy product provider and has a strong focus of quality, innovation, and diversity. At Oceania, employees thrive on the same, ensuring they have great people working in a great place making the great products.

Assistant Laboratory Manager

The Assistant Laboratory Manager is responsible for managing the daily operations including employee, laboratory information management system (LIMS), equipment, contractors, engineers, chemicals, waste, people leadership, performance management, Health & Safety in the laboratory and monitoring key performance indicators (KPI). They are also required to work closely with other departments through consulting, testing requests, production planning, specifications, and complaints.

The Assistant Laboratory Manager is responsible for delivering on these key accountabilities:

• Responsible for ensuring lab employees have resources to achieve key performance targets through regular monitoring and reporting of targets.
• Responsible for ensuring employee training is planned and completed on time, employees have personal development plans and is actively responsible for performance engagement.
• Implement and drive efficiency improvements to allow for scalable systems to increase sample volume without compromising quality.
• Measure and monitor quality targets and improve method performance to increase test capability and robustness.
• Active participant and key responsible person for internal and external audits, and all subsequent non-conformances. Committed to identifying, investigating and resolving.
• Maintain and expand a robust Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Implementing strategic plans that align with our business plans and organisation values.

The successful applicant for this role will have:

• Tertiary bachelor's degree in science and/or technology related field.
• Strong people leadership and people management skills to mentor and motivate a diverse team is essential.
• Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory functions and operations, with hands on skills with equipment and technologies.
• Preferably 5-10 years industry experience with 5 years being specialised experience.
• In depth knowledge of ISO 17025 is essential with experience with certified handling or transitional facility training beneficial.
• Experience in method verification and managing Laboratory Information Management Software (LIMS).
• Experience managing projects from conception to completion, as well as budget planning and management.
• Experience in implementing strategies and developing positive and collaborative team culture.
• Experience working in and managing employees in a demanding, high throughput and target driven environment.

Why choose Oceania Dairy?

• Located in the graceful foothills of Waimate with the Pacific Ocean to the east.
• State-of-the-art facilities.
• Free employee bus provided from Timaru and Oamaru to travel to site.
• On site gym, annual health checks, on-site physiotherapy.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Oceania Dairy has a strong safety culture.
• Values lead organisation committed to the training and development of employee.

Why wait - apply now?

If you want to take the next step in your career, apply now.