The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining a comprehensive quality management and food safety system to ensure that all products meet required regulatory, company and customer standards.
The role ensures compliance with internationally recognized systems such as Total Quality Management (TQM), HACCP, ISO 22000, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), while driving continuous improvement across the organization.
Key Responsibilities
1. Quality Management System
- Develop and maintain the company’s TQM framework and HACCP in compliance with NAFDAC and best practice.
- Perform quality assurance and food safety management tasks of having to assure consistent quality of products by developing and enforcing GMP and systems ensuring to validate processes.
- Implement systems to ensure continuous improvement and operational excellence.
- Lead root cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions for quality deviations.
2. Laboratory & Quality Control
- Supervise the quality control laboratory testing and product analysis activities.
- Report quality metrics and trends routinely utilizing analysis tools to determine quality performance.
- Ensure accurate and timely testing,analyses and result reporting of raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products.
- Ensure to provide coaching and mentoring for the quality assurance team, taking responsibility for the teams performance, management and development.
- Collaborate with all stakeholders to improve performance of all the processes products with key focus on quality and volumes.
- Maintain laboratory equipment calibration and validation.
3. Supplier & Raw Material Quality
- Establish supplier quality standards and audits.
- Ensure all incoming raw materials meet required quality and safety specifications.
- Work with procurement to develop approved supplier lists.
4. Internal Audits & Compliance
- Conduct internal quality, housekeeping and food safety audits.
- Ensure readiness for external audits and certification inspections.
- Maintain documentation in line with ISO and food safety standards.
5. Customer Quality Assurance
- Address customer complaints and product performance issues.
- Conduct investigations and implement sustainable corrective actions.
- Work with production to ensure products meet customer specifications.
6. Training & Culture
- Promote a quality culture across the organization.
- Train employees on quality systems, hygiene, and food safety standards.
- Lead initiatives that integrate TQM and continuous improvement principles into daily operations across the organisation
Requirements
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field.
Professional certification in Food Safety or Quality Management system is an advantage.
Knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 22000, and HACCP.
Experience
Minimum 7–10+ years experience in food manufacturing or flour milling.
At least 3–5 years in a managerial role in quality assurance.
Key Skills and Competencies
Technical skills:
- Strong knowledge of Total Quality Management (TQM) principles
- Understand enzymes functionality
- Food safety systems implementation
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Regulatory compliance knowledge
- Continuous improvement methodologies.
Leadership:
- Leadership and team development
- Well-developed interpersonal skills
- Food laboratory management skills
- Strong personality decision-making
Communication & Working relationships:
- Production and Mill Manager and operators
- Technical Baking Manager and officers
- Shipping Manager
- Group General Manager
- Regulatory agencies NAFDAC and SON.
- Group Director of Quality & Food Safety Excellence
- Customers