Oral Care Laboratory Assistant

We are looking for an Oral Care Laboratory Technician for our client based in Ashford!

Immediate start!

Core Responsibilities

Specific to Oil Labs

• Compound oral care flavour oils for flavourists trials, customer submissions and research projects, according to predefined formulas
• Ensuring high standard of quality, precision, accuracy & hygiene
• Ensure clear labelling of expiry date on any pre-blends, as required
• Incorporate oral care flavours into product formulations such as toothpaste and mouthwash for flavourists to assess
• Ensure timely delivery of trials and oils to flavourists, customers and Application laboratory

Specific to Applications Labs

• Prepare OC flavours in different bases meeting the needs of the creative, marketing, sales & innovation teams.
• Prepare batch sheets & record all raw material lot numbers, weights, etc.
• Ensure the quality, precision, accuracy & hygiene thereof with no microbiological base failures.
• Perform physical/chemical measurements to ensure quality of the batches and record data accordingly.
• Store retained samples/maintain library for defined timescale
• Order, maintain and monitor stock of key raw materials and assist in laboratory organisation.
• Record all Certificates of Analysis for raw materials on the database.
• Ensure that all materials are stored in appropriate containers/storage areas. Wear appropriate PPE for handling/dispensing.
• Ensure raw materials are within their expiry date.
• Anticipate raw material replenishment needs via good stock management.

Multi lab responsibilities

• Support the flavourist in managing paperwork and processes relating to flavour creation and despatch of samples to customers
• Prioritise work using LCMS internal system when required
• Ensure that stocks of laboratory raw materials are replenished (using SAP system), correctly labelled and within date, requesting for replenishment when necessary
• Ensure that all materials are stored in appropriate conditions and correct storage areas
• Ensure raw materials are within their expiry date and manage discards as required
• Anticipate raw material replenishment needs via good stock management
• Tasting and assessment of stored application samples, supporting Flavourists on stability testing as required, keeping records of when samples are due for testing and recording results electronically
• Assist in updating/revising technical documentation in the department, as required, with guidance
• Maintain a safe, clean and organized lab environment in accordance with EH&S policies and local work instructions:
• Wear appropriate PPE at all times, as per company policy
• Understand the hazards and risk in the responsible area
• Ensure that all equipment/lab surfaces are kept clean at all times
• Under a continuous improvement mindset, ensure Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) company guidelines are adhered to in all aspects of laboratory operations
• Ensure all relevant laboratory equipment is calibrated according to work instructions/intervals, record as required.

Additional Responsibilities

• Collect new oils from the oral care compounding factory as required
• Assist in investigation of any non-conformance or quality failure to understand root cause of problem, under supervision support problem-solving and follow up actions
• Under supervision with support from Quality Assurance, be supportive and informative in internal and external audits.
• Provide holiday cover in Applications or Oil labs, as required

Academic Background

• Technical training or Diploma in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science or similar science related subjects

Technical Skills

• Attention to detail and accurate record keeping
• Ability to do simple mathematical calculations
• IT competency to learn laboratory operating systems eg LCMS and SAP, literacy in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Ability to work under pressure
• Good organisation skills, ability to plan work priorities & ensure smooth lab operation
• Good communication skills
• Curiosity and basic ability in differentiating oral care flavours by tasting
• Ideally basic knowledge of good laboratory practice (GLP) & safe handling of chemicals
• Ideally basic knowledge of good manufacturing practice (GMP)
• Ideally basic understanding of ISO protocols, standard operating procedures and work instructions
• Ability to work as an individual and as part of a team