Title:  Laboratory Team Leader

Laboratory Team Leader

Bridgwater Dairy | Müller Milk & Ingredients
Permanent | 40 hours per week (Monday–Friday)

We are currently recruiting for a Laboratory Team Leader to join our team at Bridgwater. This is a key leadership role, responsible for driving quality performance and continuous improvement through effective coaching, technical expertise and strong people management.

As Laboratory Team Leader, you will lead and develop the site laboratory team to ensure all quality standards are met and continuously improved. You will act as a subject matter expert in microbiological and chemical testing, supporting wider site operations and influencing best practice.

This role plays a critical part in ensuring product quality, compliance, and continuous improvement across site.

Key responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise across chemical and microbiological laboratory activities
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing laboratory team
• Drive a strong quality and performance culture across the function
• Act as a mentor and role model across the wider site
• Deliver and support continuous improvement (CI) initiatives and problem-solving activities
• Facilitate structured problem solving (e.g. A3, Lean methodologies)
• Manage laboratory standards, compliance, certification and QMS activities
• Support and verify operational quality control processes
• Align team objectives with site and business goals

What we’re looking for

• Experience in a laboratory or quality environment (food, dairy or FMCG preferred)
• Proven leadership experience with ability to coach, develop and engage teams
• Strong problem-solving and continuous improvement capability

Knowledge and experience of:

• HACCP (Level 2–3)
• Microbiology and aseptic techniques
• Internal auditing
• Lean / CI tools (e.g. A3, Yellow/Green Belt)
• Confident communicator with strong influencing skills

Working pattern

• 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday
• Flexibility required to support the business, including:
• Covering approximately 50% of bank holidays
• Bank holidays worked can be taken back as time off in lieu

What’s in it for you

• Competitive salary
• Up to 10% bonus
• 4x life assurance
• Company pension
• Healthcare cash plan
• Access to Müller rewards platform (including health & lifestyle benefits)
• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Free onsite parking
• Career progression opportunities

We’re committed to developing our people and continuously improving how we operate. You’ll be part of a team that values collaboration, accountability and delivering high-quality results through effective leadership and innovation.

At Müller, we’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and encourage people to apply even if they don’t meet every requirement listed. If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know - we’re happy to support you.

You can find out more about Müller and what it’s like to work for us by clicking here   Careers at Müller UK & Ireland