Vacancy Detail

Laboratory Technician – Colour & Quality

Talent STEM are partnering with an established manufacturing organisation to recruit a Laboratory Technician – Colour & Quality to join their technical team on a permanent basis.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established manufacturing business where you'll play a key role in maintaining product quality through the assessment of colour, appearance and product consistency. Working closely with both laboratory and production teams, you'll help ensure products meet internal quality standards and customer expectations before progressing through the manufacturing process.

We're particularly interested in speaking with candidates who have experience of colour assessment, quality control or laboratory testing within a manufacturing environment.

Experience gained within paints, coatings, textiles, plastics, pigments, inks or other colour-controlled industries would be highly advantageous, although candidates from other manufacturing sectors with transferable skills are encouraged to apply.

Key responsibilities

-  Assess product samples against approved quality and colour standards.

-  Carry out visual inspections and colour measurements using laboratory equipment.

-  Investigate colour variation and support corrective actions where required.

-  Make quality decisions based on agreed specifications and tolerances.

-  Prepare and maintain reference standards and retained samples.

-  Complete laboratory documentation and maintain accurate quality records.

-  Support product trials and continuous improvement activities.

-  Perform routine quality checks on raw materials and finished products.

-  Work closely with production teams to resolve quality-related issues.

-  Maintain laboratory equipment and ensure a safe, organised working environment.

Candidate profile

We are interested in speaking with candidates who have:

-  Previous experience within a laboratory, quality control or manufacturing environment.

-  Experience assessing product quality, colour or appearance.

-  Experience using laboratory testing or colour measurement equipment.

-  Excellent attention to detail and a methodical approach to quality.

-  Strong communication and organisational skills.

-  The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a wider team.

-  Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.

-  Experience within paints, coatings, textiles, plastics, pigments, inks, flooring, packaging or similar manufacturing sectors would be advantageous.

-  Experience using colour management systems such as X-Rite, Datacolor or similar equipment would also be beneficial but is not essential.

Suitable backgrounds include

Applications are welcomed from candidates currently working as:

-  Laboratory Technician

-  Quality Control Technician

-  QC Technician

-  Colour Technician

-  Laboratory Colourist

-  Colour Matcher

-  Paint Technician

-  Ink Technician

-  Pigment Technician

-  Manufacturing Technician

-  Materials Technician

Candidates with transferable experience from manufacturing laboratory or quality environments are also encouraged to apply.

What's on offer

-  Permanent, full-time position

-  Monday to Friday working hours

-  Ongoing training and development

-  Long-term career progression

-  Supportive technical team environment

Please note that applicants must have the unrestricted right to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact Talent STEM.

Talent STEM is a specialist recruitment consultancy supporting the scientific, engineering, chemical, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, environmental, biotechnology, FMCG and medical device sectors across the UK.

Location: Manchester | Salary: £27000 - £30000 per year | Job type: Permanent | Posted: 02/07/2026