Laboratory Quality Technician

Job Title: Laboratory Quality Technician

Function: Supply Chain

Location: South Lumley Street, Grangemouth

Job Level: (Internal Reference Only) 4

Contract: Full Time / Permanent - Monday to Friday 35 Hours per week

Role Reports to: Quality and Compliance Manager

Date vacancy will close: 5pm, 26th February 2026. Where we receive high numbers of applications we may close vacancies early. If you think this is the right opportunity for you please don't delay in applying!

Who we are:

Born in Glasgow, made in Scotland and enjoyed around the world. Whyte and Mackay is home to a collection of multi-award-winning global whisky brands led by The Dalmore, Fettercairn, Jura and Tamnavulin. Our mission is to be a driving force in whisky, renowned for building brands that stand-out. Enabled by our brilliant community of 750 colleagues, reaching across 17 countries and counting. We're led by our values, continuing to grow and invest and looking for great talent to join our brilliant community. Ready to hear more?

What the opportunity looks like:

The Laboratory Quality Technician is responsible for planning and carrying out all laboratory analytical and routine activities, support the laboratory team, production and commercial teams by preparing blend samples and provide expertise on liquid and blend continuity.

The role is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of all laboratory and spirit testing equipment used within the production areas and co-ordinating routine quality and sampling on various instruments (gas chromatography machine, alcolyser, ph and colour meters, etc).

A major responsibility within this role is processing and preparing liquid sample requests for the blending and marketing teams of new blends, dummy liquid for display purposes as well as processing small batches of liquid for production use (i.e. rare whiskies).

• Run routine quality samples on gas chromatography (GC) instrument for monitoring of blend continuity through establish congeners (higher alcohols analysis, esters, aldehydes, acetate, etc).
• Ensure any new blends have had GC analysis carried out and available for issuing certificates of analysis.
• Responsible for the daily running, maintenance and upkeep of the GC instrument and other non-routine analysis such as strength testing and distillation for aged whisky and other spirit types.

Responsible for organising instrument maintenance and calibration for all spirit testing equipment on the production sites.

Run the Alcoholic Drinks Proficiency Testing scheme (DAPS) that ensures that all analysis we do falls within the expected parameters for reporting in certificates. Conduct the analysis, collate results from the laboratory and report these on-line to DAPS. Report and discuss the DAPS results with the Quality and Compliance Manager.

Maintain spirit laboratory methods (SOPs) and risk assessments.

Continue to build method development, calibration of instruments, method validation.

Support other laboratory QA roles and tasks, particularly in the Production Laboratory, however basic, when cover and assistance is required.

Ensure general laboratory housekeeping including consumables stock control.

Maintain the laboratory analytical data base and the laboratory spirit sample library under Custom and Excise guidelines with appropriate paperwork for these samples.

Skills and experience that will help you be a success:

For this role we're looking for:

• Significant hands‑on experience working in a laboratory environment, ideally as an analytical or quality technician within the drinks, pharmaceutical, chemical, or wider scientific sectors.

Practical experience operating Gas Chromatography (GC) equipment — including sample preparation, running routine analyses, data handling, troubleshooting, and interpreting results - Desirable.

A solid chemistry background (degree, HNC/HND, or equivalent industry experience). Distilling, spirits analysis or similar product‑based chemistry experience would be advantageous.

Demonstrable experience of preparing procedures, instructions, or laboratory methods.

Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage routine testing, maintain equipment, and ensure regulatory compliance (SOPs, calibration, DAPS participation, etc.).

Confidence working with analytical instruments such as alcolysers, pH/colour meters, and other spirit testing equipment.

Good communication skills.

We believe that everyone has the potential for growth in our roles! You may feel you don't tick every box for this role, but if you believe you have relevant experiences that could help you succeed we'd much rather you apply rather than rule yourself out based on any self-limiting beliefs!

Why join us:

We offer a competitive salary, bonus package, life assurance, competitive pension, excellent product allowance, 35 days annual leave, plus enhanced family friendly policies. Our Rewards & Benefits page has further information.

Our application process:

If you like what you’ve read and want to explore this opportunity further, please apply before the closing date listed at the top of the advert.

Our team read each and every application, therefore you'll hear back from us in due course.

Candidate guidance on the use of AI in the application and screening process can be found on our career site.

Should you require any adjustments to our recruitment process to help you be at your best then please contact us at HRTeam@whyteandmackay.com and we'll do what we can to support.