Quality Assurance-Quality Control Manage (Fertilizer)

Position: QA/QC Manage( Fertilizer) Reporting To: General Manager / Operations Director Location: Adama, Ethiopia Job Summary The QA/QC Manager will lead all quality control and quality assurance operations across our NPK and NPS fertilizer manufacturing lines. This role is responsible for ensuring strict adherence to product specifications, incoming raw material verification, in-process control, and finished goods compliance. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in chemical analytical testing, mass/material balance calculations, raw material deep Knowledge with their specification, blending integrity, and continuous quality improvement. Key Responsibilities 1. Quality Operations & Material Balance Control • Direct, manage, and oversee complete QA/QC activities for NPK, NPS & Coated Urea fertilizer manufacturing lines. • Establish rigorous quality control protocols for incoming raw materials, intermediate process streams, and finished bagged/bulk fertilizers. • Utilize precise material balance equations and chemical composition analysis to verify batch formulations, nutrient ratios (N-P-K-S), and raw material blending accuracy. • Oversee laboratory operations, equipment calibration, analytical testing methodologies (chemical titration, spectrophotometry, moisture balance, sieve analysis), and reagent management. 2. Standard Operating Procedures & Compliance • Develop, implement, and update quality testing standards, sampling plans, SOPs, and product specifications in accordance with international regulatoryframeworks. • Ensure all raw materials, additives, and finished products meet statutory nutrient content, moisture limits, particle size distribution, and crushing strength criteria. • Maintain complete, audit-ready quality documentation, certificate of analysis (COA) registries, inspection reports, and laboratory logs. 3. Root Cause Analysis (RCA) & CAPA • Lead technical investigations into quality non-conformances, nutrient off-spec deviations, batch segregation, or physical product issues (e.g., caking, dust, granule degradation). • Execute formal Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and enforce effective Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) in coordination with plant teams. • Monitor parameter trends to proactively identify quality risks before product failure occurs. 4. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Continuous Improvement • Partner closely with Production, Process Engineering, and Supply Chain to ensure seamless alignment between process parameters, blending ratios, and final quality output. • Provide continuous technical guidance and training to laboratory technicians and plant operators on quality standards and sampling protocols. • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance analytical accuracy, reduce testing turnaround times, and minimize re-processing or off-spec production. Qualifications & Requirements • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Industrial Engineering, Agriculture, or a closely related technical discipline. • Experience: 10+ years of progressive hands-on experience in QA/QC management within a fertilizer manufacturing facility (specifically solid NPK/NPS/Coated Urea granulation or blending plants). • Technical Knowledge: Expert command of fertilizer chemistry, analytical lab testing, mass balance calculations, raw material blending verification, and statistical process control (SPC). Preferred Skills & Competencies • Advanced analytical and laboratory management skills with strong expertise in quality management systems (QMS) and ISO standards (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025). • Deep understanding of raw material blending thermodynamics, mass balance, and physical/chemical properties of macro- and micronutrients. • Proven track record in executing RCA methodologies (5-Why, Fishbone, FMEA) and CAPA implementation in chemical/fertilizer operations. • Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-departmental problem-solving capabilities.