Quality Assurance Manager - AGROPAL West Africa Limited

AGROPAL West Africa is an impact-oriented agribusiness with a focus on processing and marketing fruits (mangoes, pineapples, coconut, papaya, and banana) grown in West Africa for international markets. Our mission is to empower every actor in the agricultural value chain to ensure inclusive development of the sector. Our vision is to see a bubbling agricultural sector in Ghana and West Africa improving economies, providing incomes for people, and enhancing food security and health.

Job Description

• Reports to: Managing Director
• Department: Quality Assurance
• Employment Status: Full-time
• Direct Reports: QA Supervisors, QA Officers
• Work Location: Akuse, Eastern Region

Position Summary

As a growing organization, AGROPAL is seeking talents to complement its existing team with its mission of empowering every actor in the agricultural value chain. Therefore, AGROPAL is seeking to hire a suitable candidate to fill the role of a Quality Assurance (QA) Manager who will be responsible for delivering the optimum quality of AGROPAL’s products. He/she will also be responsible for ensuring compliance with laws, regulations and environmental standards where necessary.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure implementation and compliance with quality policy, procedures, work instructions, and documented quality systems. In addition, ensures compliance with statutory, regulatory and customer requirements.
• Establish and support appropriate measurements to monitor internal compliance with approved quality goals and objectives.
• Initiate the use of world-class quality tools, systems and procedures to support the overall operational goals.
• Develop methods to monitor process parameters in cooperation with production management to provide useful feedback for effective process control and improvement.
• Participate in disposition and root cause analysis of discrepant material and corrective actions to prevent further discrepancies.
• Work closely with related team members to improve supplier performance.
• Assist in the development of a segment-wide system for identifying, tracking, and reporting customer concerns, internal quality issues, supplier quality issues, and appropriate corrective action activities.
• Assess and implement the appropriate data analysis, quality systems, and inspection criteria and procedures to ensure the high technical integrity of our quality processes and results.
• Provide and administer an effective system for identifying, tracking, and reporting improvement initiatives.
• Implement and maintain an internal audit system for food safety and quality.
• Develop and maintain relationships with commercial teams, ensuring the voice of the customer is incorporated in quality measurement and improvement plans.
• Directs technical and administrative workers engaged in quality assurance activities.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Drive continual improvement in food safety and sanitation as measured by key indicators including AIB audit performance, and other internal and external audits; manage and maintain effective food safety and sanitation systems such as HACCP, pest control, and good housekeeping.
• Support the company to attain and sustain advanced certifications specifically IFS and BRC.
• Adhere to all health and safety guidelines in the factory. 
• Contribute to the promotion of food safety and quality culture.

Required Skills or Experience

Qualification and Experience

• Master’s degree or higher degree in Food Science is or a related field.
• At least seven (7) years of professional or sector/industry experience.
• At least 7 years’ experience in a similar role including senior or managerial level. 
• Verifiable experience in IFS and BRC certification.
• Verifiable experience in organic certification is an added advantage. 
• Ability to identify food safety bottlenecks and offer solutions.
• Knowledge of potentially hazardous materials.
• Knowledge of EPA safety requirements.
• Strong adaptability and ability to work with little or no supervision.
• Skillful at planning and organizing under complex conditions. 
• Excellent skills in managing/leading teams from different units.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Applications.
• Fluency in English – excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Applicants must be living around the factory location or be willing to relocate to Akuse (Eastern Region).