Ornua Co-operative Limited — one of Ireland’s most respected dairy and food cooperatives with a global presence — is actively hiring a Lab Technician at its Riyadh, Saudi Arabia facility. Posted on 11 August 2026 with a closing date of 18 August 2026, this full-time, on-site role is critical to Ornua’s quality assurance operations in KSA. The Lab Technician is responsible for monitoring and performing essential tests on raw materials, finished goods and production line samples, validating SOPs and conducting environmental monitoring — all in compliance with HACCP, GMP, GLP and food safety regulations.
Application Deadline: 18 August 2026Posted 11 August 2026. Only 7 days to apply — submit your application immediately through the Ornua careers portal before this position closes.
About Ornua Co-operative Limited — Global Dairy & Food Leader
Company: Ornua Co-operative Limited — Ireland’s largest dairy exporter with operations across Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia
Location: Riyadh, SA 11365 — on-site, full-time laboratory role
Industry: Dairy / Food Manufacturing / Quality Control & Laboratory Sciences
Scope: Raw material, in-process, finished product and environmental monitoring testing in a food production environment
Standards: HACCP, GMP, GLP, SOPs and food safety regulations applicable to Saudi Arabia and international markets
Why This Lab Technician Role at Ornua Riyadh Is a Strong KSA Career Opportunity
Global Employer: Ornua is a globally recognized dairy cooperative — joining their Riyadh lab puts you inside a world-class food quality organization
Technical Breadth: Physical, chemical and microbiological testing + environmental monitoring + SOP validation — exceptional laboratory career development
Saudi Vision 2030: Food manufacturing and quality science are strategic priorities for KSA — lab technician roles at multinational food companies are high-demand careers
Immediate Opportunity: Deadline 18 August 2026 — this is an urgent hiring need with a short application window
Position Overview
The Lab Technician at Ornua Co-operative Limited in Riyadh plays an essential role in the quality control and food safety operations of the facility. Working closely with the Quality Assurance and Laboratory Supervisor, this professional collects, prepares and tests raw material, in-process, finished product and environmental samples using approved SOPs. The Lab Technician ensures accurate test result recording, maintains laboratory instruments and equipment, supports OOS investigations, participates in internal audits and upholds the highest standards of GMP, GLP, HACCP and food safety compliance throughout all laboratory activities.
Why This Role Matters: At Ornua Riyadh, the Lab Technician is the scientific backbone of quality assurance. By performing rigorous physical, chemical and microbiological tests on raw materials and finished products, validating SOPs, conducting environmental monitoring and identifying deviations from specification, you directly protect product quality, ensure regulatory compliance and uphold the food safety standards that Ornua’s customers and consumers across Saudi Arabia and the region depend on every day.
Key Responsibilities
Sample Collection, Preparation & Testing
- Collect, label and prepare raw material, in-process, finished product and environmental samples for laboratory testing in accordance with approved collection procedures.
- Perform routine physical, chemical and microbiological tests following approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure accurate, reliable and reproducible results.
- Coordinate with production and quality teams to ensure timely testing and release of raw materials and finished products without unnecessary production delays.
Laboratory Equipment Operation & Maintenance
- Operate, clean and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment — including pH meters, weighing balances, moisture analyzers, incubators and microscopes — ensuring they are calibrated and functioning correctly.
- Maintain laboratory cleanliness, organization and safety at all times, including the proper handling, storage and disposal of chemicals and biological waste.
- Report equipment malfunctions, calibration issues or performance deviations promptly to the Laboratory Supervisor for corrective action.
Quality Control, Documentation & Reporting
- Accurately record all test results, maintain complete laboratory documentation and prepare structured reports in compliance with company quality standards and regulatory requirements.
- Support quality control activities by monitoring product quality and promptly identifying any deviations from established specifications or acceptance criteria.
- Assist in investigating out-of-specification (OOS) results and report all abnormalities clearly to the Quality Assurance or Laboratory Supervisor for review and disposition.
- Maintain basic Microsoft Excel and Word records for laboratory reports, data entry and documentation management.
GMP, GLP, HACCP & Food Safety Compliance
- Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), HACCP principles and food safety regulations during all laboratory activities without exception.
- Ensure safe handling of all chemicals, samples and laboratory equipment and consistently use personal protective equipment (PPE) as required by safety procedures.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, safety procedures and regulatory requirements while maintaining strict confidentiality of all laboratory data and test results.
Audits, Inspections & Continuous Improvement
- Participate in internal audits, regulatory inspections and continuous improvement initiatives related to laboratory operations and quality systems.
- Support SOP validation activities and environmental monitoring programs to ensure ongoing laboratory compliance and performance standards.
- Demonstrate a positive attitude, adaptability and eagerness to learn new testing methods, quality standards and food industry regulations as the role evolves.
Key Requirements
Educational Requirements
- Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Food Technology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Biochemistry or a closely related scientific field.
- Strong academic or practical understanding of sample collection, preparation and routine chemical and microbiological testing methodologies.
- Understanding of GMP, GLP, HACCP, food hygiene and sanitation practices in a food manufacturing or laboratory setting.
- Familiarity with laboratory instruments including pH meters, weighing balances, moisture analyzers, incubators and microscopes.
- Strong observation skills to identify abnormalities and maintain accuracy across all testing activities.
- Ability to communicate findings clearly and collaborate effectively with production and quality assurance teams.
About Ornua Co-operative Limited
Ornua Co-operative Limited is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products, marketing and selling dairy ingredients and consumer foods to over 110 countries worldwide. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Ornua operates manufacturing and sales facilities across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas and Asia — with a strong and growing presence in the Saudi Arabian market. The Riyadh facility is part of Ornua’s commitment to delivering world-class dairy products across the Kingdom and the broader GCC region.
Joining Ornua as a Lab Technician in Riyadh means becoming part of a respected global food cooperative with high quality standards, a strong safety culture and genuine opportunities for professional development in food science and laboratory quality assurance.
Who Should Apply?
- Food Science & Microbiology Graduates in Saudi Arabia: With a Diploma or Bachelor’s in Food Technology, Microbiology, Chemistry or Biochemistry and a strong understanding of HACCP, GMP and GLP principles.
- Laboratory Technicians from Food Manufacturing: With hands-on experience performing physical, chemical and microbiological testing in a food production or dairy manufacturing environment in KSA or the GCC.
- Quality Control Lab Assistants: Looking to join a globally recognized food cooperative — Ornua — and build a strong laboratory science career in Saudi Arabia’s growing food manufacturing sector.
- Environmental Monitoring & SOP Compliance Specialists: With experience in sample collection, environmental swabbing, SOP validation and documentation management in a GMP-compliant laboratory.
- Early-Career Science Graduates: Eager to launch their laboratory career at a world-class Irish dairy cooperative operating in Riyadh — with genuine learning, development and food science career growth.
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