Company: Nestlé Nigeria Plc
Location: Abaji-Abuja, Nigeria
Position: Laboratory Supervisor - Chemist
Qualification: BSc or equivalent in Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Food Engineering, Biochemistry, Food Science/Technology or a related science discipline
Closing Date: 12/11/26
Position Summary
With a history spanning over 150 years, Nestlé is one of the world's leading food and beverage companies. We are looking for a Laboratory Supervisor - Chemist to join the Quality Assurance team at our Abaji Factory.
The role coordinates the Chemistry Laboratory and product compliance activities, provides technical chemistry support to factory operations, drives Good Laboratory Practice and laboratory safety, and supports reliable product release and compliance.
A Day in the Life of a Laboratory Supervisor - Chemist
Laboratory Analysis & Product Release
- Coordinate routine chemical analysis for finished products, in-line controls, raw materials and packaging materials.
- Ensure laboratory methods, equipment, calibration and controls support accurate, timely results and usage decisions.
- Provide technical troubleshooting support to Production and Application teams, including mineral preparation, conductivity, concentration and recipe-related issues.
Product Compliance & Contaminant Monitoring
- Coordinate product compliance activities, including Nestlé Confidence Assessment and Tracking (CAT) requirements.
- Manage the chemical contaminant monitoring/surveillance programme and scheduled sample submission, including readiness of required analytical kits/materials.
- Monitor compliance results and escalate risks to protect product safety and regulatory compliance.
GLP, Audit & Laboratory Safety
- Drive Good Laboratory Practice across Chemistry, Microbiology and Sensory as applicable, including self-assessment and audit readiness.
- Act as the laboratory/factory HAZMAT lead for chemical-spill preparedness and drills.
- Support HACCP review, FSSC 22000/internal audits, ISO/NMS requirements, P-Test verification and laboratory safety audits.
Systems, Capability & Continuous Improvement
- Act as a SAP/GLOBE Quality super user/support resource and help maintain healthy quality transactions.
- Train and develop laboratory personnel on analytical methods, chemical management and relevant quality systems.
- Use SPC, DMAIC, Fishbone and root-cause analysis to support zero-defect and continuous-improvement objectives.
Stakeholder & Regulatory Management
- Partner with Production, Quality, Application Group, R&D and other factory functions to resolve chemistry and compliance issues.
- Interface with third-party laboratories, suppliers, service contractors and regulatory bodies when required.
- Maintain effective links with Nestlé Quality Assurance Centre and regional quality laboratories.
Key Success Measures
- Analytical turnaround time and First Time Right performance
- On Time Usage Decisions and compliance to factory sampling plans
- Compliance with contaminant monitoring and product compliance programmes
- Successful GLP, laboratory safety, ISO/NMS and FSSC audit outcomes
- Strong P-Test/proficiency-testing performance
- Zero major food-safety incidents and effective chemical-safety performance
- Equipment calibration and laboratory readiness
What will make you successful?
- BSc or equivalent in Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Food Engineering, Biochemistry, Food Science/Technology or related discipline.
- Strong hands-on analytical chemistry capability within a manufacturing or regulated laboratory environment.
- Experience may come from food & beverage, pharmaceutical or other relevant manufacturing sectors.
- Working knowledge of GLP, product compliance, laboratory management and verification/audit requirements.
- Knowledge of analytical and problem-solving tools such as SPC, DMAIC, Fishbone and root-cause analysis.
- Computer literacy in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, with SAP experience strongly relevant.
- Strong communication, influencing, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions.
- Experience training/coaching others and coordinating indirect or temporary support staff is an advantage.
- Knowledge of HACCP, FSSC 22000, ISO 9001:2015, HAZMAT/chemical safety and regulated product-quality systems is advantageous.