Laboratory Technician

Laboratory Technician

Blue Pacific Minerals Ltd | Tokoroa, New Zealand | Full-time, Permanent

About the Role

Blue Pacific Minerals is looking for a Laboratory Technician to join our team in Tokoroa. This is a newly created role in a growing business. You will work under our Head of Laboratories, supporting quality assurance, product development and field testing across material science, chemistry and biology.

A new laboratory is being finalised at the end of this year and you will help set it up and get it running. If you have laboratory training or practical bench experience and want to build your skills across a wide range of testing in a hands-on, innovative team, this role will give you that opportunity.

About Blue Pacific Minerals

Blue Pacific Minerals (BPM) is a New Zealand specialty minerals company based in Tokoroa. We mine natural mordenite zeolite from our resource at Ngakuru and process it into a growing range of products for plant, soil and turf health, animal health, home and pet care, and environmental applications such as spill remediation. Our business sits at the intersection of material science, chemistry and biology: we engineer a natural mineral into functional products, and we prove that they work through rigorous testing in the lab and in the field. BPM is expanding, with new products, new markets and a new laboratory being finalised by the end of 2026. Our motto is "Clever by Nature".

What You'll Do

Quality assurance and control

• Test raw materials, in-process batches and finished products against specifications (moisture, particle size, pH, conductivity and more)

• Sample, log and retain production batches and keep accurate, traceable records

• Flag out-of-specification results and support investigations

Product development

• Prepare trial formulations and treated zeolite samples

• Run bench-scale tests on new and existing products, including benchmarking against competitor products

• Keep clear experimental records so results can be repeated and compared

Field testing

• Prepare product and sampling kits for field trials run by our agronomy and commercial teams

• Process soil, plant, water and product samples returned from trial sites and collate the results

Laboratory operations

• Keep the lab clean, safe and well stocked, and maintain equipment calibration records

• Follow and help write SOPs and test methods

• Help commission equipment and methods in our new laboratory

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Formal laboratory training (e.g. NZ Certificate or Diploma in Applied Science / Laboratory Technology, or a BSc in chemistry, biology, materials or a related field) or equivalent practical laboratory experience

• Hands-on competence with standard bench techniques: weighing, sample and solution preparation, titration, pH and conductivity, moisture determination

• Accurate record keeping and strong attention to detail

• Confident with Excel for data entry and basic analysis

• A sound understanding of laboratory health and safety practice

• Practical, organised and keen to learn new methods across chemistry, biology and materials testing

Desirable

• Experience in a QA/QC lab in manufacturing, minerals, food, fertiliser or agriculture

• Exposure to microbiological lab testing methodology (bioburden and serial dilutions) or plant-based testing (extractions and/or growth)

• Familiarity with instruments such as particle size analysers, spectrophotometers or moisture analysers

• Full New Zealand driver licence

Why Join Blue Pacific Minerals?

• A newly created role in an expanding business, with a new laboratory to help set up from the start

• Broad exposure across material science, chemistry and biology, with a great deal to learn from an innovative and experienced team

• Direct mentoring from our Head of Laboratories and involvement in real product development, not just routine testing

• Work on natural mineral products used across agriculture, animal health, pet care and environmental markets

• Competitive remuneration and ongoing training and development

• A collaborative, down-to-earth team based in Tokoroa

How to Apply

If this sounds like you, please submit:

• A current CV with employment history

• A short cover letter explaining your laboratory training or experience and why this role interests you

• Contact details for at least two referees

Please apply through Seek or contact us for more information. Applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.