We are a nonprofit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital and markets. Our work is rooted in the idea that hardworking people can generate income, jobs and wealth for their families and communities. With more than four decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives.
- Job Type: Full Time
- Qualification: BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
- Experience: 3 – 5 years
- Location: Lagos
- Job Field: Engineering / Technical
Job Summary:
Reporting to Senior Technical Support Manager, Senior Quality Specialist will provide Quality Management System support to processors with an objective to assist them to achieve improved Quality of Finished products through proper designing & implementation of various QMS tools & GMP systems. S/he will identify the gaps in existing systems and suggest a plan to improve it which will ultimately lead to better quality products. S/he will support implementation of a tailored action plan with each processing unit to address those gaps as per agreed goals and milestones.
Primary Functions & Responsibilities
Provide support to a portfolio of up to five processors to build robust QMS to address specific constraints related to quality system & practices in particular sections of cashew processing (warehousing, calibration, steam cooking, shelling, oven drying, peeling, grading, fumigation, packing, and storage)
- Assist processors to optimize the grade parity of cashew kernels and minimize the losses
- Compile, analyze, and report data on progress of processing units with key internal and external stakeholders
- Lead the training and development programs of processors staff as well as key participants of the broader cashew processing ecosystem
- Ensure that women and other disadvantaged groups are sustainably integrated into quality activities
- Support processing units to attain their traceability and various certification objectives
- Support processors to implement improved environmental practices, including effective waste management
- Support the establishment of processing units for cashew byproducts
- Supervision of quality control on shop-floor
- Implementation of Food Safety Management System (FSMS) & QMS
- Audit of the process controls points and GAP analysis to prepare improvement plans
- Improvement in grade parity of cashew kernels.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor degree in Science/Chemistry/ Microbiology/ Bio-Chemistry with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in food processing. Alternatively, 3 years’ experience with a Masters’ degree.
- A minimum of 3 years’ in quality management experience including managing individuals and teams with diverse backgrounds, quality control on shop-floor, implementation of food safety management system (fsms) & quality management system (qms).
- Knowledge and experience on audit of the Process controls points and GAP analysis to prepare improvement plans and Improvement in grade parity of Cashew Kernels.
- Experience in food/cashew processing in Nigeria is must.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in large cashew processing unit (10-15k MT capacity)
- Experience in Nigeria
Required Languages Proficiency in English is preferred
Travel Willingness to spend up to 40% of time travelling domestically in Nigeria.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
- Excellent oral/written communication and presentation skills
- Ability to balance multiple priorities and meet demanding deadlines
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Strong interpersonal and team-building skills
- Thorough knowledge of Cashew kernel Grades and its various Optimization
- Proficiency in MS Office & presentation skills are required
- HACCP/ PCQI/BRC auditor certification will be preferred
- Thorough Knowledge of Planning & execution of various aspects of FSMS