Laboratory Technician

Location: Menstrie, Scotland
Contract: 5-Month Fixed-Term Contract

The Opportunity

We are currently recruiting for a Laboratory Technician to join a leading global manufacturing and packaging innovation environment based in Menstrie. This is a 5-month contract position supporting the Packaging Technology Laboratory team, focusing on the implementation and validation of packaging transit testing methodologies to ensure products meet international safety and performance standards.

Please note: This is a 5-month assignment only, and an extension is currently considered unlikely. Candidates should be comfortable with the fixed-term nature of the position before applying.

Key Responsibilities

As Laboratory Technician, you will:

• Implement and validate International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) testing procedures.
• Complete ISTA-related training and accreditation where required.
• Operate and maintain transit simulation equipment, including:
  • Incline impact testers
  • Vibration tables
  • Drop testing equipment
• Deploy, monitor and analyse shock logger data.
• Support the installation, commissioning and validation of laboratory testing equipment.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Conduct packaging component testing and analyse data using statistical techniques.
• Support laboratory compliance activities, health & safety initiatives and quality standards.
• Manage testing and validation projects through to successful completion.
• Present technical findings, results and recommendations to internal stakeholders.

Skills & Experience Required

The successful candidate will have:

• Experience working with the production and testing of food and beverage packaging materials.
• Strong knowledge of packaging testing methodologies and laboratory environments.
• Hands-on experience operating transit simulation and packaging test equipment.
• Proven data analysis, interpretation and reporting skills.
• Strong project management and organisational abilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A degree in Packaging Technology, Engineering, a Scientific discipline, or equivalent relevant industry experience.

Desirable Skills

It would be advantageous to have:

• Experience testing novel or emerging packaging materials.
• HACCP knowledge.
• ISO 9001 auditing experience or Lead Auditor qualification.
• An established network within the packaging or material science industry.
• Experience with Design of Experiments (DOE).
• Previous exposure to ISTA certification or accreditation processes.