Lab Technician

Seniority Level:

Primary purpose and function of position: 

 

• Reporting to the QA First Line Manager, you will be responsible for performing routine laboratory analyses and supporting quality assurance activities to ensure product quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and process excellence throughout the brewery. The QA Technician performs analysis for Packaging, Microbiology, Physical-Chemistry, and Sensory laboratories while contributing to quality investigations, continuous improvement initiatives, and performance-driven activities aligned with best laboratory practices, third party certification requirements, and Performance Excellence standards.  You will be expected to communicate issues to appropriate managers and record and report QA data using various QA software packages. 

 

This job description and the job title QA Technician is not necessarily descriptive of all duties and does not restrict flexibility.  You may be required, from time to time, to carry out tasks in addition to or instead of your normal duties, either for the Company or for AB InBev, provided that they are reasonable and within your capabilities. 

 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities: 

Key Tasks: 

Laboratory Operations 

• Perform routine analytical testing in Packaging, Microbiology, Physical-Chemistry, and Sensory laboratories according to approved methods and procedures. 

• Ensure laboratory testing is conducted accurately, safely, and within defined turnaround times. 

• Verify the reliability, integrity, and traceability of analytical results, ensuring data integrity, method compliance and technical competence. 

• Maintain accurate laboratory records, documentation, and electronic systems. 

• Maintain laboratory equipment through calibration, verification, routine checks, and reporting of abnormalities. 

• Ensure compliance with laboratory quality systems and good laboratory practices. 

• Contribute to the development and review of laboratory procedures, standards, and work instructions. 

 

Quality Assurance & Food Safety 

• Support the implementation and maintenance of Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Hygiene, and GMP programs 

• Contribute to compliance with BRC standards, HACCP plans, site quality requirements, and internal procedures. 

• Participate in hygiene verification activities and food safety assessments. 

• Escalate quality and food safety concerns promptly and drives corrective actions. 

• Support internal audits, external audits, proficiency testing, and quality system reviews. 

• Train, coach and audit operations staff on Quality Assurances processes 

 

Troubleshooting & Investigations 

• Support root cause investigations related to product quality, process deviations, laboratory out-of-specification results, customer complaints, and non-conformities. 

• Collaborate with Brewing, Packaging, Engineering, and Supply teams to identify and implement sustainable solutions. 

• Provide technical laboratory expertise during troubleshooting activities and process improvement initiatives. 

 

Data Analysis & Continuous Improvement 

• Monitor, analyse, and report quality-related KPIs and laboratory performance indicators, ensuring that specifications, systems and procedures achieve intended product quality and food/feed safety requirements 

• Identify trends, gaps, and opportunities through data analysis and statistical evaluation. 

• Drive root cause analysis and propose and support corrective and preventive actions to improve process capability and quality performance, collaborating with other departments 

• Participate in continuous improvement projects and support the site's Performance Excellence agenda. 

 

Key Competencies 

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills. 

• Attention to detail and commitment to data integrity. 

• Knowledge of laboratory quality systems, food safety, and hygiene requirements. 

• Ability to interpret data, identify trends, and drive improvement actions. 

• Effective communication and stakeholder collaboration. 

• Customer-focused mindset with a strong commitment to quality and continuous improvement. 

 

Control of cost and budget 

• Contribute to initiatives to ensure cost optimization across all areas of the department 

• Contribute to projects and perform required activities on time and to budget 

 

Quality, Environment, Health and Safety and compliance to standards 

• Promote safe working practices 

• Ensure compliance with all company and departmental standards and processes and legal obligations 

• Take ownership for creation and maintenance of Departmental SOP’s 

• Ensure appropriate SLA’s are met in regards to maintaining quality standards and specifications  

• Support audits undertaken by Zone Brewery Support 

• Represent the Quality department in other departmental meetings as required 

• Ensure activity within QA department is aligned with the requirements of VPO 

 

Key Skills, Knowledge & Competencies: 

• Degree, diploma, or equivalent qualification in Brewing, Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Engineering or a related discipline. 

• Excellent computer, numeracy, literacy  and verbal communication skills 

• Ability to operate effectively as part of a team and to work on own using initiative 

• Results focused with a strong attention to detail and an ability to work flexibly to achieve departmental goals 

• Strong organisation skills with a structured and systematic approach, adhering to deadlines, able to work on own initiative and prioritise workload effectively 

• Experience in contributing to delivery of process improvement 

• Excellent knowledge of manufacturing principles, tools and techniques 

• Excellent knowledge of the quality management process and the ability to coach and share that knowledge to develop others 

• Experience with ISO 17025, ISO9001, HACCP, Pest Control and third party certifications (BRC, FSMA, Kosher) or other quality management systems is advantageous. 

Brewing the world’s most loved beers and building brands consumers love, AB InBev is where ownership, ambition, and action thrive. 

We empower you to dream big, lead change, and create a long-lasting legacy. ​We value relentless problem-solvers who take accountability, embrace challenges, and turn bold goals into results through resilience and hard work.

 

That’s Who We Are: Come and OWN IT.

We recruit for mindset, ambition, cultural fit, and growth opportunities.

Unique culture

We are proud to be part of something bigger than ourselves and are passionate about building upon our company’s long legacy. We believe in collaboration and candor, which results in a dynamic culture with open communication.

 

Brands everyone loves

We are part of the collective, global history of beer. We are the proud makers of more than 500 iconic brands, from beloved international classics to local favorites. 

 

Growth opportunities

Our people grow at the pace of their talent. We empower our people to learn, expand their perspectives, and unlock career growth. In an environment where commitment to excellence pays off, our people are able to deepen their impact and create a long-lasting legacy.