Laboratory Shift Manager

Overview

The Laboratory Shift Manager is a key member of the site management team responsible for driving Quality Assurance and Food Safety standards within Coca-Cola Ballina. This role leads, develops, and motivates a multi-skilled laboratory team to deliver QA laboratory activities that support plant operations and maintain high standards of quality and food safety. The successful candidate will collaborate with colleagues across the site and contribute to the CPS Global Laboratory Network through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and alignment with global laboratory standards and initiatives. This is a shift-based role requiring flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Maintain safety systems within the Laboratory.
• Lead and motivate a multi-skilled Laboratory team and ensure efficient delivery of all Laboratory activities to schedule.
• Test and release all ingredients, finished products, and intermediate products in accordance with Coca Cola Company procedures.
• Ensure compliance with company requirements, policies, procedures, and practices of The Coca Cola Company.
• Ensure compliance to ISO 17025 Laboratory Management Systems; implement and manage Laboratory GLP (Good Laboratory Practices).
• Manage Laboratory training requirements and the Corrective Action Program.
• Embed operational excellence and a continuous improvement culture within the laboratory using lean principles and systems.
• Ensure processes and equipment validation comply with company and regulatory requirements.
• Manage internal and external audit programs, liaising with corporate and external registrars/governmental agencies.
• Develop associate competencies and skills to achieve high engagement and capabilities.
• Develop and implement Performance Development plans for associates.
• Support plant-wide improvement activities and lean initiatives.
• Participate in local, regional, and global distributed work teams as required.
• Manage Laboratory consumables and Equipment VMI (vendor managed inventory).

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related Life Science discipline.
• People management or supervisory experience.
• Minimum 5 years of Laboratory or QA industrial experience.
• Familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements.
• Qualification in Continuous Improvement is desirable.
• Proven ability to work with SAP enterprise system.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; analytical decision making and problem solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple conflicting demands and prioritize accordingly.
• Flexible and able to travel at short notice (5-10%); regional (Europe, Eurasia & Africa) and global travel.
• Experience in testing and release of ingredients and final products; ability to operate on a global stage with diverse colleagues.
• Fluent written and spoken English and strong communication skills.

What We Can Do For You

Purpose Driven: A purpose-driven approach that empowers people to protect the environment and communities while delivering safe and quality products.

Global Connections: Develop and maintain global connections to move faster and learn from others.

Community of Belonging: An inclusive culture where people feel safe and empowered to bring their best self to work.

Skills & Location

• Skills: ISO 14000, ISO 18000, Microsoft Office, Six Sigma, Troubleshooting, Waterfall Model.
• Location: Ballina, Ireland.
• Travel Required: 0-25%.
• Relocation Provided: No.

Additional Information

• Job Posting End Date: July 29, 2026.
• Our Purpose and Growth Culture: We nurture an inclusive culture grounded in our purpose and growth mindset, focusing on curious, empowered, inclusive, and agile behaviors.
• The Coca Cola Company is a global organization with a broad network of partners; we seek opportunities to embrace progress and champion diversity across our careers.