Research and Development Supervisor

About the job

• The R&D Supervisor – Instrumentation & Sensory Analyst is responsible for the day-to-day management of the R&D laboratory's analytical instrumentation and the sensory evaluation programme.
• The role ensures that all analytical equipment used in product development, quality assessment and shelf-life studies is accurately calibrated, validated and maintained, and that sensory testing panel recruitment, training, testing and data analysis is conducted rigorously and objectively to support new product development NPD, product improvement, cost-optimisation and benchmarking initiatives.
• The supervisor will work closely with Product Development, Quality Assurance, Production and Marketing to translate consumer and technical insights into actionable R&D decisions.

Key Responsibilities
Instrumentation Management & Analytical Testing:

• Operate, calibrate and maintain R&D laboratory instruments — including texture analyzers, viscometers/rheometers, colorimeters/spectrophotometers, moisture analyzers, particle size analyzers, pH meters, water activity meters and near-infrared NIR analyzers, High Performance Liquid Chromatograhy HPLC — to ensure accuracy and reliability of results.
• Develop, validate and document standard operating procedures SOPs and test methods for physical, physicochemical and instrumental analysis of raw materials, and finished products.
• Plan and manage the instrument calibration and preventive maintenance schedule, liaising with external calibration/service providers and maintaining calibration certificates and equipment logbooks.
• Troubleshoot instrument malfunctions, coordinate repairs, and escalate recurring issues to minimise laboratory downtime.
• Ensure all analytical data generated is accurate, properly recorded, statistically sound and traceable, in line with GLP Good Laboratory Practice and ISO/food safety standards.
• Drive 5S implementation and compliance in R&D instrumentation laboratory and pilot plant

Sensory Analysis & Panel Management:

• Design, plan and execute sensory evaluation programmes, including difference tests triangle, duo-trio, paired comparison, descriptive analysis QDA, hedonic/consumer acceptance tests and shelf-life sensory monitoring.
• Recruit, train, calibrate and manage the internal sensory panel; monitor panelist performance and conduct periodic re-screening to maintain panel reliability.
• Coordinate consumer sensory studies and competitor/benchmarking evaluations in collaboration with Marketing and Consumer Insights teams.
• Analyse sensory data using appropriate statistical tools/software, interpret results, and prepare clear, actionable reports for Product Development.
• Maintain and continuously improve sensory testing protocols, panel booth standards, and sample preparation/serving procedures to ensure test validity.

Product Development Functions:

• Carry out product profiling, theoretical and real time recipe development with product prototyping and other R&D bench work activities.
• Develop strategic and creative new products that meets up with relevant standards of local and international food regulatory bodies.
• Provide technical expertise for products in development, new or improvement of existing, planning, execution, and evaluation of projects while maintaining food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct and monitor product real time and accelerated shelf-life stability studies of new and optimized existing food products.
• Carry out manufacturing plant trials in a pilot scale for new product development and existing product optimization.
• Trouble shoot and provide solutions related to BOM, plant trials, process, and ingredient changes to prevent plant shut down across all manufacturing plants.

Supervisory & Team Leadership:

• Supervise, coach and develop laboratory technicians and sensory panellists, allocating daily tasks and monitoring workload to meet project timelines.
• Conduct performance reviews, identify training needs, and build technical capability within the instrumentation and sensory team.
• Enforce laboratory health, safety and environmental HSE standards, good housekeeping 5S and safe handling of samples, chemicals and equipment.
• Act as a key point of escalation for technical queries relating to instrumentation and sensory testing within the R&D department.

Quality, Compliance & Documentation:

• Ensure all testing activities comply with company quality standards, food safety regulations e.g., NAFDAC, SON and relevant international standards ISO 17025, ISO 9001, HACCP.
• Maintain accurate, audit-ready documentation — test records, certificates of analysis COAs, panel data, calibration records and deviation reports.
• Support internal and external audits and regulatory inspections by ensuring instrumentation and sensory records are complete and readily available.
• Participate in root-cause investigations for product quality complaints or non-conformances requiring instrumental or sensory input.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Reporting:

• Provide instrumental and sensory data to support new product development, reformulation, cost-optimisation and shelf-life extension projects.
• Collaborate with Product Development, Quality Assurance, Production, Procurement and Marketing to align testing priorities with business objectives.
• Prepare and present periodic reports weekly/monthly on laboratory performance, sensory panel activity, and key findings to the R&D Manager.
• Keep abreast of developments in analytical instrumentation and sensory science methodologies, recommending upgrades or new techniques where relevant.

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree BSc/HND in Food Science & Technology, Chemistry, Biochemistry or a related scientific discipline. A postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
• Professional certification in sensory science, laboratory quality management e.g., ISO/IEC 17025 or instrumentation is an added advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3–5 years' relevant experience in a food/beverage or FMCG manufacturing laboratory, with hands-on exposure to analytical instrumentation and sensory evaluation.
• Prior experience supervising or coordinating a small technical team, or demonstrable readiness for a first supervisory role.
• Practical experience with sensory panel management and recognised sensory test methodologies QDA, triangle/duo-trio tests, hedonic scaling.
• Working knowledge of food safety and quality systems GMP, HACCP, ISO standards within a regulated manufacturing environment.