Laboratory Lead (Auckland, AUK, NZ, 1060)

Kerry Group
Auckland
Workplace: OnsiteFull timeFunction: Laboratory & Clinical OperationsEducation: bachelorsSkills: ["Leadership","Analytical problem-solving","Risk-based decision-making","Data integrity focus","Cross-functional communication"]

Lead the Auckland laboratory and Laboratory Technician team to ensure accurate, timely testing and positive release of raw materials and finished products. Manage lab capability, calibration, approved methods, traceable data, and compliance, while applying lean lab principles to improve efficiency. Own RM and product release verification, escalate food safety/quality concerns, support new product approvals, and drive corrective actions and audit readiness across customer, regulatory, and certification scopes.

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Kerry Group
Kerry Group
16 hours ago

Laboratory Lead (Auckland, AUK, NZ, 1060)

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Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI
Last checked: 16 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Lead the Auckland laboratory and Laboratory Technician team to ensure accurate, timely testing and positive release of raw materials and finished products. Manage lab capability, calibration, approved methods, traceable data, and compliance, while applying lean lab principles to improve efficiency. Own RM and product release verification, escalate food safety/quality concerns, support new product approvals, and drive corrective actions and audit readiness across customer, regulatory, and certification scopes.
Location: Auckland
Workplace: Onsite
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Laboratory & Clinical Operations
Seniority: Manager level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Lead, coach, and develop the Laboratory Technician team, ensuring competency, safe work practices, shift coverage, and service delivery.
  • •Ensure accurate, timely test results and efficient, cost-effective laboratory operations; apply lean lab principles and maintain sample control, testing, consumables, and good laboratory practices.
  • •Maintain laboratory calibration and verification, approved test methods/specifications/sampling plans, competency records, and complete traceable laboratory data.
  • •Own testing and positive release of raw materials and finished products, including SAP transactions, third-layer verification of in-process controls, and escalation of food safety/legal/quality/regulatory concerns.
  • •Support internal and external audits within laboratory scope and ensure corrective actions are completed effectively and on time; report performance, risks, trends, and improvement progress to the Food Safety and Quality Manager.

Key Requirements

  • •Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
  • •Minimum 3 years leading a laboratory, quality-control, or technical team in a food manufacturing environment.
  • •Experience with 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.
  • •Proficiency in SAP quality control, inspection, batch status, traceability, and release processes; strong analytical problem-solving and data integrity focus.
Experience:Food manufacturing
Education:Bachelor's in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline
Skills:LeadershipAnalytical problem-solvingRisk-based decision-makingData integrity focusCross-functional communication
Tech Stack:SAPMicrosoft ExcelPowerPoint

Company Brief

Kerry Group
Kerry Group is a global taste and nutrition company supplying ingredients, flavours and integrated solutions to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries, serving manufacturers with product development, technical support and supply chain services.
Industry: FoodTech
Company Size: Enterprise (1,001+ employees)
Revenue: USD 1B+
Growth: Public Company
Valuation: Public Company (Market Cap in USD)
Funding: IPO / Publicly Listed
Headquarters: Tralee, Ireland
Founded: 1972
WebsiteLinkedIn