R&D Lab Technician

At Britvic, we make, market, and sell great-tasting soft drinks, offering refreshments to billions of consumers worldwide. We're constantly refreshing and reimagining our business, ensuring it's innovative and evolving while staying true to our vision – to be the most dynamic soft drinks company, creating a better tomorrow. We've been home to iconic brands for over 100 years, and our relevance is anchored in an authentic heritage. Delivering our vision is down to the passion of our people, and we create conditions for everyone to thrive and grow. From our international supply chain and network of partners, we export to over 100 countries, offering opportunities for our people and businesses to grow.
 

Job Overview

As an R&D Laboratory Technician, you will be based in the Central R&D Laboratory facility located at the Head Office in Breakspear Park, Hemel Hempstead. You will report directly to the R&D Laboratory Manager and may be required to travel to our R&D pilot plant in Beckton. Your responsibilities will include the day-to-day management of laboratory equipment, ingredients, and consumables, as well as new product development, sample production, and product testing.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and validate new soft drink formulations and recipes
• Prepare and analyze samples for new products, validations, and trials
• Maintain stock of laboratory consumables
• Maintain specific raw material libraries, ensuring they are up-to-date on costings and supplier details by working closely with procurement and value engineering teams
• Book samples with the micro and analytical teams for analysis
• Ensure the laboratory, storerooms, and equipment are maintained to appropriate hygiene and housekeeping standards
• Maintain health and food safety standards/protocols to the highest standard
• Provide support to our pilot plant team in Beckton in the upscale of new raw materials from the R&D facility
• Maintain equipment manuals, SOPs, and training

Requirements

• Support product development teams through sample preparation, analysis, and operating complex and sensitive test and analytical instrumentation
• Build relationships with equipment suppliers to ensure all equipment is functional and maintained
• Maintain the laboratory, storerooms, and equipment to appropriate hygiene and housekeeping standards, including sample and raw material disposal, and 5S
• Build a strong understanding of the NPD process at laboratory scale to carry out user training, troubleshooting, continuous improvement, and recommendations on laboratory process capabilities
• Ensure all work is carried out in compliance with company standards, Quality Management systems, and specifications, and that good laboratory and hygiene practices are maintained
• Maintain strong relationships with analytical, micro, and sensory labs
• Support other technical teams with analytical methods, training, calibration, and validation

Key Behaviors

• Take pride in your approach to work, and be openly enthusiastic in supporting the company
• Understand how your activities can impact the total organization, and effectively use planning tools to shape and achieve objectives
• Support the continuous improvement culture, and strive to enhance and improve work
• Create a respectful relationship within the team, and openly share information to benefit others
• Adapt your personal style to best fit the situation, and tailor your behavior to align with others
• Take personal responsibility to ensure results are delivered, showing courage in confronting challenges, and being openly enthusiastic

Education/Qualification

Degree and/or A levels in science, microbiology, or a food science-related subject, along with food and/or drinks processing experience and prior work experience in a new product development lab.