Laboratory and Pilot Plant Operations Coordinator

Unilever PLC; Liverpool City Region; On-site; GBP 31,000 - GBP 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading FMCG company in Liverpool is seeking an interim Laboratory & Pilot Plant Operations Coordinator for its Port Sunlight facility. This full-time role offers competitive compensation and focuses on improving laboratory efficiency and supporting scientists with technical needs. Candidates should have experience in laboratory coordination, chemical handling, and possess strong organizational and communication skills. This position is an excellent opportunity for those looking to contribute to a fast-paced environment in a state-of-the-art facility.

Benefits

Free onsite parking

Discounted products in staff shop

State-of-the-art facilities

Various site clubs

Catering outlets with hot and cold food

Qualifications

• Experienced laboratory/scientific facilities coordinator and/or has pilot plant experience.
• Familiarity with laboratory safety protocols and chemical handling procedures.
• Demonstrates confidence in a laboratory environment.
• Exceptional organisational and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide front line technical support to lab/pilot plant users.
• Maintain safety and housekeeping standards per established protocols.
• Ensure stock levels of raw materials and consumables are maintained.
• Coordinate goods inwards with third party service providers.

Skills

Laboratory operational requirements

Chemical dispensing and handling

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Proficient in Microsoft tools (Excel, Word)

Tools

LIMS

Power BI

Power Apps

Job description

Manpower are currently seeking an interim Laboratory & Pilot Plant Operations Coordinator to work with our global FMCG client Unilever, renowned for brands such as Dove, Sure, Persil, and Simple, and become an integral part of their fast-paced FMCG environment.

The position is based at our client’s scientific Research & Development facility in Port Sunlight Village, Wirral easily accessible by train and car. This is a full-time temporary role to run until the end of July 2026, requiring 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Compensation for this role is competitive, paying between £31,205-£36,000 per annum, pro rata, depending upon experience.

As part of Unilever’s ongoing initiative within the Port Sunlight R&D laboratories to improve efficiencies, a new Operational Excellence Team has been created. The role of this team is to support the day-to-day activities of scientists working in our labs and pilot plants and to ensure a safe, efficient and well-maintained facility. The team will focus on the implementation of new and optimised processes with a view to driving continual improvement.

The Laboratory Operational Coordinator role provides a range of support services to the Port Sunlight R&D scientific and engineering community. As an ideal candidate, you'll have a sharp awareness of laboratory operational requirements to ensure maximum productivity and be skilled in laboratory processes, e.g. formulation, characterisation and performance testing etc

Additionally, you'll display a proven ability to follow protocols and processes for efficient operations in a laboratory environment.

Key Accountabilities

• Deliver front line technical support to lab/pilot plant users regarding ways of working, set up of facilities and immediate needs/enquiries.
• Deliver to point of use in laboratories material (chemicals) and associated ancillaries as appropriate.
• Maintain laboratory safety and housekeeping standards in accordance with our established safe working procedures.
• Ensure stock levels of raw materials, consumables and PPE are maintained in core areas.
• Coordinate with third party service providers to ensure goods inwards are correctly logged on LIMs.
• Decanting and weighing of raw materials for lab and pilot plant scientists.

Key Requirements

• Experienced laboratory/scientific facilities coordinator and/or has pilot plant experience.
• Experience of chemical dispensing and handling, including familiarity with laboratory safety protocols and chemical handling procedures.
• Demonstrates confidence and competence in a laboratory environment and is comfortable handling associated tasks and equipment.
• Exceptional organisational, time management and strong communication skills. Can ensure the smooth running of a large laboratory.
• Proficient IT skills e.g. Microsoft tools (Excel, Word). LIMS, Power BI & Power Apps would be advantageous.

Additional Information

Port Sunlight working environment:

• Free onsite parking
• Staff shop discounted products
• Working in state-of-the-art laboratory and pilot plant facilities
• Free parking onsite
• 5 mins walk to train station serving Liverpool & Chester
• 20-minute drive from Liverpool city centre/30 minutes’ drive from Chester
• Disabled parking
• In the heart of picturesque Port Sunlight village
• There are also several site clubs available to join covering a range of topics including Book Club, Running, Choir, Pool, Genealogy and much more.
• The sites have three catering outlets which provide a range of hot and cold food and drinks daily.
• In addition there are a range of vending machines and cold-water dispensers around the site accessible throughout the day.