Laboratory Manager (Quality & Validation)

Quality Lead – Laboratory (Greenfield Project)

Location: West Cork

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity to join a major greenfield investment delivering a next-generation manufacturing facility. This newly created role will lead the design, setup, qualification, and validation of a state-of-the-art Quality Control Laboratory, ensuring full operational readiness from day one of commercial production.

This role offers an excellent salary and comprehensive benefits package, along with strong long-term career progression opportunities within a global organisation and a high-profile capital project environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, commissioning, and start-up of a new Greenfield QC laboratory (microbiology, nutritional, and sensory).
• Ensure full laboratory readiness, validation, and QMS compliance for ISO 17025 and regulatory audit standards.
• Oversee lab layout, zoning, workflow, and contamination control in line with GMP and global quality standards.
• Develop URS, qualification, and validation documentation for all laboratory equipment and systems.
• Design and execute validation plans for analytical methods ahead of commercial production.
• Integrate laboratory systems with LIMS (Bambo) and SAP for accurate data capture and reporting.
• Provide regular project updates to senior leadership and global quality stakeholders.
• Recruit, train, and develop laboratory teams, embedding capability, competency frameworks, and training matrices.
• Establish KPIs, SPC tools, and performance monitoring systems for lab operations and product quality.
• Drive testing schedules, prioritisation, and continuous improvement across laboratory operations.
• Act as SME for laboratory validation, quality systems, and audit readiness.

About You

• Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biotechnology or related discipline
• 8–10 years’ experience, including 5+ years in a manufacturing laboratory (food, pharma, or aseptic environment preferred)
• Proven experience in laboratory start-ups or major expansions (greenfield/brownfield advantageous)
• Strong knowledge of ISO 17025, GMP, and regulatory quality systems
• Experience in validation (URS through to qualification and method validation)

Why This Role?

This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead a brand-new laboratory from the ground up within a major strategic investment project, with significant visibility across global quality and operations teams.

Alongside a highly competitive salary and benefits package, this role offers genuine career progression within a growing international organisation and the chance to play a key part in a flagship greenfield facility.