< Back to search
Mars UK • AUS-Victoria-Ballarat | Australia

Technologist- Laboratory

Employment type:  Contract
9.2

/10

Transparency ranking
Apply now

Job Description

Job Description:

  • Play a critical part in keeping our products safe, compliant & delicious

  • Mars Wrigley Australia home to loved brands such as M&M’s, Maltesers, Snickers & Pods

  • 9 Month Contract | Full-Time | Onsite Ballarat

The Laboratory Technician role provides technical support and verification of the Ballarat site food safety program for raw materials, finished goods, in process and environmental samples, through the application of the Global Quality & Food Safety Chocolate Standards. The role provides technical guidance in food safety risk assessments, guidance in trouble shooting and recommendations to the business on matters regarding microbiology and chemistry to achieve and ensure the requirements of the Mars Quality principle.

Love science? Passionate about food safety? Want to help make some of the world’s most loved chocolate brands — safely and to the highest quality standards?

We’re on the lookout for a Laboratory Technician to join our Mars Wrigley Chocolate team in Ballarat.

This role plays a critical part in keeping our products safe, compliant, and delicious — providing hands-on technical support across microbiology, chemistry, and food safety within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

What You’ll Be Doing

No two days are the same! You’ll:

  • Bring the Mars Global Microbiological Verification Program to life on site

  • Collect and analyse samples from raw materials, in-process product, finished goods, and the factory environment

  • Conduct microbiological and analytical testing in line with Mars Quality & Food Safety Standards

  • Investigate out-of-specification results and provide recommendations to the Laboratory Manager

  • Support HACCP, GMP, and Good Laboratory Practices every day

  • Maintain lab equipment, consumables, and cleanliness

  • Provide clear reporting and data when required

  • Help manage finished goods disposition

  • Be an active contributor in a high-performing, safety-first team

What We’re Looking For

You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

  • A tertiary qualification in Microbiology or a relevant science discipline

  • A basic understanding of HACCP and GMP

  • Strong attention to detail and a love for hands-on lab work

  • Confident written and verbal communication skills

  • Solid computer skills and comfort working with data

  • A team-first mindset and commitment to safety and quality

Important to Know

  • This is a temporary, full-time onsite role in Ballarat

Why Join Mars?

At Mars, you’ll be part of a purpose-led business where quality, safety, and people truly matter. You’ll enjoy meaningful work, career development opportunities, and the chance to contribute to iconic chocolate brands loved around the world.

If you’re ready to put your science skills to work — and help keep chocolate safe and amazing — we’d love to hear from you.

Internal associates: This role has been graded as a B3 opportunity. Ensure that you discuss your application with your line manager prior to applying including obtaining their endorsement.

Applications close: Tuesday 24th of March, 2026

Company benefits

Open to part-time employees
Open to job sharing
Open to compressed hours
Sabbaticals
Enhanced maternity leave – 26 weeks at 90% pay
Enhanced paternity leave – 26 weeks at 90% pay
24 days annual leave + bank holidays
“Pawternity” leave
Pregnancy loss leave
Bank holiday swaps
Shared parental leave
Adoption leave
Family health insurance
Pregnancy support
Neo-natal leave
Faith rooms
Meditation space
Dog friendly office
Dog friendly co-working space
Annual bonus
Employee discounts
Cinema discounts
Referral bonus
Joining bonus
Cycle to work scheme
Electric Car Salary Sacrifice
Enhanced pension match/contribution
Theme park discounts
Lunch and learns
In house training
Learning license
Studying sabbaticals
Open to part time work for some roles

Working at Mars UK

Company employees:

4,000 In the UK

Gender diversity (m:f):

57:43

Hiring in countries

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Brazil

Canada

Chile

China

Czechia

Denmark

Egypt

France

Germany

India

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Latvia

Lithuania

Malaysia

Mexico

Netherlands

New Zealand

Panama

Poland

Romania

Russia

Saudi Arabia

South Korea

Spain

Switzerland

Thailand

Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

United States

Office Locations

Awards & Accreditations

1st – Family Friendly

1st – Family Friendly

Flexa awards 2025
2nd – Pet Friendly

2nd – Pet Friendly

Flexa awards 2025
Flexible

Flexible

Flexa awards 2025
Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and Inclusion

Flexa awards 2025
Work-Life Balance

Work-Life Balance

Flexa awards 2025
Career Progression

Career Progression

Flexa awards 2025
Culture

Culture

Flexa awards 2025
Benefits

Benefits

Flexa awards 2025
1st – Large companies

1st – Large companies

Flexa100 2024
Consumer Goods

Consumer Goods

Industry awards 2023
3rd – Large companies

3rd – Large companies

Flexa100 2023
Retail & Ecommerce

Retail & Ecommerce

Industry awards 2022

Other jobs you might like