Laboratory Technician

About Quintessential Brands Group and First Ireland Spirits

Quintessential Brands Group, acclaimed for Irish Creams including Feeney's, O'Mara's, and O'Casey's, maintains a strong heritage of crafting high-quality liqueurs. The First Ireland Spirits team continues this tradition by producing award-winning spirits with a blend of traditional methods and modern expertise, creating products recognized worldwide.

Role Overview

As a Laboratory Technician at First Ireland Spirits based in Abbeyleix, County Laois, you will be integral to maintaining product excellence. Your responsibilities will include routine testing and analysis of ingredients and finished liqueurs, ensuring all products meet the strict quality criteria the brands uphold. Your work will support consistent quality through chemical and sensory testing, equipment maintenance, and quality improvement initiatives.

Key Duties

• Conduct chemical tests on both intermediate and final products, including analysis of alcohol content, fat via Gerber method, particle size, viscosity, pH levels, and specific gravity.
• Perform sensory evaluations such as organoleptic assessments, hot spin tests, shelf-life monitoring, and bottle pour checks.
• Verify quality of raw materials by testing incoming ingredients before production use.
• Maintain calibration and cleanliness of laboratory instruments to ensure precise and reliable results.
• Collaborate closely with production and quality teams to address issues and uphold best practices.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects aimed at refining processes and enhancing quality assurance systems.

Candidate Profile

• Holds a diploma or degree in Food Science or a related discipline.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word, as well as other general computer applications.
• Possesses solid fundamental math skills and openness to learning specific calculations required in the role.
• Demonstrates excellent communication abilities and works effectively as part of a team.
• Detail-oriented, well-organized, and capable of managing demanding production schedules efficiently.
• Exhibits a proactive mindset with confidence to make decisions or escalate when appropriate.

Benefits

• Access to a pension plan to support future financial security.
• Exclusive savings on purchases through partnerships with both physical and online retailers.
• Opportunity to join a small but dedicated team, benefit from comprehensive training, gain diverse experience, and contribute to meaningful work in the spirits industry.