Physicochemical Laboratory Supervisor

About the Role

The position is analyzing and interpreting data to ensure quality critical targets are maintained for cocoa beans, in-process products, and finished products. Manage sensory evaluation of products to ensure customer requirements are met and to manage the panel’s practical work to the required standards. The role is based in Tema and reports to the Quality Assurance Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise received raw beans per documented procedure, updates, and share reporting files with relevant parties.
• Ensures accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility of all physicochemical analyses performed during production activities.
• Ensures that all critical to-quality equipment, instruments, and tools are maintained in good working condition, calibrated, and verified.
• Responsible for analyses, interpretation, and reporting of sensory results and ensures customer’s requirements are met.

• Responsible for identifying the training needs of all reporting staff and working with the Quality Assurance Manager to define the development and training plan for all direct reports.
• Responsible for carrying out, with support from technicians the needed risk assessments in the labs under his or her supervision and for ensuring the implementation of such risk assessments
• Ensures adequate quantities of lab stock items are maintained at all times, and monthly stock reports are submitted to the Quality Assurance Manager within one (1) business day of the next month.
• Undertakes group reporting by presenting weekly and monthly reports to the plant Quality Assurance Manager.
• Ensures the full implementation of the QMS procedures
• Ensures proper maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment; documents the status of each equipment and maintains the calibration records
• Manages group ring tests relating to the physicochemical laboratory.
• Ensures laboratory technicians and production white zone operators are trained and re-trained on physicochemical procedures.
• Support complaints investigations together with the quality stream lead.
• Assists in maintaining various quality and food safety certification schemes of the factory.
• Leads the regional sensory program by coordinating sensory initiatives and actions with the various sensory leads of the other BC Africa sites
• Leads various physicochemical projects as assigned by the Quality Assurance Manager as required by the business.
• Analyzes sensory data, interprets and reports results, recommends courses of action, and communicates results to appropriate Persons.
• Supports the maintenance of all QA procedures, policies, procedures, SOPs, etc.
• Ensures the full implementation of the QMS procedures related to QA and communicates proposed changes to the Management Representative.  This includes the documentation and approval of procedures and work instructions, process forms, etc as appropriate.
• Ensures the preparation and sending of trade and R&D samples for business purposes to relevant stakeholders.
• Develops and implements new sensory methodologies and carries out Sensory training for taste panelists
• Responsible for timely evaluation of product trial output and providing accurate feedback for product improvement.
• Maintains contact with external service providers, suppliers, and manufacturers of laboratory equipment and parts with prior approval of the Quality Assurance Manager.
• Serves as the backup for the Food Safety Coordinator role in his/her absence in aspects as defined by the Quality Assurance Manager.

About You

• BSc. Food Science or equivalent qualification with a minimum of 2 years post qualification hands-on relevant working experience
• Good knowledge of analytical methods and laboratory applications, food analysis and sensory analysis
• Good knowledge of quality management systems such as ISO 19001:2015
• Proficient in MS Office applications and SAP
• Good communication skills – verbal, written to include report writing and group presentations
• Ability to lead, supervise, coordinate, and monitor team
• Strong personality and dynamic and able to work under pressure