Quality Control Lead

The Quality Control Lead is responsible for leading quality assurance across the Kano and Sagamu Warehouses, ensuring that all sesame purchased, cleaned and exported by the organisation meets approved specifications and applicable buyer and regulatory requirements. The role establishes and manages the laboratory systems at both hubs, sets quality specifications, SOPs and sampling/testing protocols, supervises the Assistant QC Lead and the QC Supervisors and Officers, owns the final quality release for export cargo, manages deviations, complaints and corrective actions, and safeguards the independence of quality acceptance from Procurement and Production.

Responsibilities

1. Multi-Site Quality Operations Oversight

• Oversee quality operations at both the Kano and Sagamu hubs, ensuring consistent application of quality standards and testing protocols across both locations.
• Coordinate with hub-level QC Supervisors and Officers to ensure adequate staffing, resourcing and operational readiness at each site.

2. Laboratory Systems Establishment and Management

• Establish, equip and manage functional laboratory systems at both the Kano and Sagamu hubs, including equipment, consumables and calibration schedules.
• Ensure both laboratories operate in line with recognised standards (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025 principles) and are maintained in an audit-ready state.

3. Quality Specifications, SOPs and Testing Protocols

• Develop, document and maintain quality specifications, SOPs, and sampling/testing protocols for sesame procurement, processing and export.
• Review and update specifications and protocols periodically in line with evolving buyer, regulatory and market requirements.

4. Team Leadership and Supervision

• Supervise and provide technical leadership to the Assistant QC Lead, QC Supervisors and QC Officers across both hubs.
• Set performance objectives, conduct performance reviews, and build team capability through coaching and training.

5.Final Quality Release for Export Cargo

• Own and sign off the final quality release/certification for all export cargo, ensuring full compliance with approved specifications and buyer/regulatory requirements before shipment.
• Ensure complete, accurate and traceable quality documentation accompanies every export consignment.

6. Deviation, Complaint and Corrective Action Management

• Investigate quality deviations and customer/buyer complaints, driving root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions.
• Monitor ongoing compliance with quality, food safety and regulatory requirements, escalating significant risks to the Head of Business.

7. Quality Independence and Governance

• Maintain the functional and decision-making independence of quality acceptance from Procurement and Production, ensuring QC decisions are made solely on quality and compliance grounds.
• Escalate and resolve any attempts to influence or compromise quality decisions, safeguarding the integrity of the quality function.

Requirements

• B.Sc./M.Sc. in Food Science, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Agriculture, or a closely related field. A relevant postgraduate qualification or professional certification in Quality Management is an advantage.
• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., Institute of Quality Nigeria, Institute of Food Science and Technology) is an advantage.
• Working knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation and food safety management systems (e.g., HACCP, ISO 22000) is highly desirable.
• Minimum of 8-10 years' experience in quality assurance/quality control within the agro-commodity, food processing or export sector, including at least 3-5 years in a managerial role overseeing multi-site laboratory or quality operations.