Laboratory Shift Manager

Role Overview

The Laboratory Shift Manager is an integral part of the site management team at Coca-Cola Ballina, responsible for upholding stringent Quality Assurance and Food Safety standards. This position entails leading, developing, and inspiring a versatile laboratory team to deliver all QA laboratory functions efficiently and support plant operations, maintaining the highest quality and safety benchmarks. The role involves close collaboration within the facility and active contribution to the CPS Global Laboratory Network through knowledge exchange and adherence to global standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and oversee safety protocols within the laboratory environment.
• Lead and energize a multi-skilled laboratory team to ensure timely and effective completion of all laboratory tasks.
• Verify that all ingredients, intermediate, and final products undergo testing and are released following established company procedures.
• Implement company standards to guarantee compliance with Coca-Cola policies, practices, and procedures.
• Ensure adherence to ISO 17025 laboratory management requirements.
• Manage and execute Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) within the laboratory setting.
• Oversee laboratory training needs and corrective action plans.
• Promote operational excellence and a continuous improvement mindset by applying lean principles and systems within the laboratory.
• Validate processes and equipment according to regulatory and company guidelines.
• Coordinate internal and external audits, liaising with corporate bodies and regulatory agencies.
• Enhance employee skills and engagement through competency development and performance planning.
• Support plant-wide lean initiatives and improvement projects.
• Participate in regional and global work teams as required.
• Manage laboratory consumables and equipment inventory through Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) programs.

Candidate Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related Life Science discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in managing or supervising teams.
• At least 5 years of experience in laboratory or quality assurance roles within an industrial setting.
• Knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards.
• Certification or experience in Continuous Improvement methodologies is preferable.
• Proficient in SAP enterprise resource planning software.
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Analytical skills for decision-making and problem resolution.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize competing demands effectively.
• Flexibility to travel within Europe, Eurasia, and Africa regions up to 5–10% on short notice.
• Experience in testing and approving ingredients and finished products.
• Capability to operate effectively within a global, multicultural environment.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.

Additional Information

• This role follows a shift work pattern, requiring schedule flexibility.
• Travel requirements are estimated between 0% and 25% depending on business needs.
• Relocation support is not provided.
• The position offers a 15% market-based annual incentive reflecting target performance.
• Location: Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland.

Organizational Culture and Benefits

The company fosters a purpose-driven environment focused on environmental protection, community support, and the delivery of safe, quality products. It promotes global connectivity, allowing employees to develop relationships and learn from colleagues worldwide. The workplace culture values inclusivity, empowerment, curiosity, and agility, encouraging continuous growth and learning to support both business success and personal development.