Laboratory Supervisor
Verified Lab Services (VLS) provides high quality, timely and cost-efficient maturity and technical services to our customers. VLS has been providing laboratory services for kiwifruit for over 22 years. VLS is a trading division of Seeka Limited, New Zealand’s largest producer of kiwifruit.
At VLS we are nothing without the talents of our people; we are authentic, skilled and curious, earning respect through our actions. Our inspirational people are passionate, ambitious and demonstrate a passion for excellence and self-leadership.
We are looking for an experienced and technically minded Laboratory Supervisor to join our laboratory team in sunny Kerikeri. This is a great opportunity to build your career in a dynamic horticultural environment while enjoying the lifestyle of beautiful Northland.
Working closely with the Operations Manager, you’ll provide technical and operational support across the laboratory, helping ensure laboratory outcomes are delivered accurately and within required timeframes. You’ll also provide leadership and guidance to the laboratory team, support quality systems and help ensure the laboratory operates efficiently and to the required standards.
What you’ll be doing:
- Supporting the day-to-day operations of the laboratory and helping ensure workflows and priorities are managed efficiently
- Providing technical support to the seasonal laboratory team, including operating and maintaining laboratory instruments and equipment
- Carrying out laboratory testing and monitoring as required, particularly during busy periods
- Training and supporting seasonal laboratory supervisors and assistants to ensure technical requirements and operational standards are understood and maintained
- Providing leadership, guidance and support to staff and assisting with the resolution of team issues
- Supporting appropriate staffing levels and managing laboratory rosters to meet operational requirements
- Supporting the maintenance of IANZ, Zespri, MPI, industry and quality requirements and documented procedures
- Supporting quality assurance, quality control and proficiency programmes within the laboratory
- Maintaining accurate and up-to-date laboratory documentation and ensuring information is communicated to the appropriate parties
- Analysing and reporting data to identify opportunities to improve laboratory processes and operations
- Contributing to improvement initiatives across laboratory programmes, operations and databases
- Assisting the Lab Operations Manager with assigned projects, planning and budget activities
- Supporting Health and Safety standards across the laboratory, including PPE compliance, hazard identification and incident and near-miss reporting
- Providing proactive support to the Lab Operations Manager and undertaking other duties as reasonably required
- Due to seasonal demands within the wider business, working within the team to test and report data may involve weekend and night work, as well as extended hours during the season
What you’ll bring:
- Strong technical understanding and an ability to work confidently with laboratory equipment and processes
- Experience providing leadership, guidance and training to a team
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to identify improvements
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with people at different levels
- Strong organisation, time management and prioritisation skills
- A flexible, adaptable and resilient approach to working in a changing environment
- Good decision-making skills and the ability to take ownership of outcomes
- Strong written communication skills and the ability to produce clear and accurate reports
- A proactive and collaborative approach, with a strong focus on achieving team outcomes
- A high level of professionalism, confidentiality and maturity
Qualifications and experience:
- General degree with the scholastic skills to analyse, evaluate and interpret information
- 3–5 years’ experience in a similar role, with highly relevant experience in a specific area of work
- Experience working within horticulture or primary industry
- Experience extracting useful information from data and translating it into actionable objectives
- Experience producing accurate reports to set criteria
- Experience using software and computer-based technology, including industry-specific programmes or similar platforms
- Experience implementing company processes or policies
- Experience working with and a good understanding of numerical or financial information
- Experience effectively managing a team and following best-practice HR processes
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills
- Ability and willingness to become and maintain Key Technical Person (KTP) accreditation, if required
What we offer:
- Permanent full-time position
- Health, life and trauma insurance benefits
- Supportive and collaborative working environment
- Opportunity to develop your technical and leadership skills
- Opportunity to grow your career within a large and successful New Zealand business
- The opportunity to work and live in beautiful Northland
If you’re an experienced laboratory professional who enjoys working with people, solving problems and getting involved in the day-to-day operation of a busy laboratory, we’d love to hear from you!
Apply now with your CV and cover letter.
Applicants must currently be living in New Zealand and hold a valid work visa.
