To drive the Laboratory Vision and
Strategy that best supports the Agri Business Division's passion to be the
Grain Brain in the GCC and to offer proven superior quality flour and feed
solutions beyond flour and feed.
Ensure efficient & effective laboratory operations & compliance adherence.
Partner with all Internal Stakeholders to add value, respond to the needs of a rapidly growing and dynamic business.
Major Responsibilities:
Strategic:
- To own & drive a strategy for the Laboratory:
- For Technical Excellence by the development of laboratory solutions, protocols and capabilities;
- Superior service for internal & external stakeholders;
- For becoming a potential profit centre by provision of testing & advisory services to customers & other external entities.
- Conduct regular management reviews to determine service delivery, capability, compliance performance to drive continual improvement;
- Develop a Laboratory information management system to allow proper statistical data analyses and visibility.
- Development and maintenance of laboratory systems to achieve the ISO 17025 standard.
- Development of a fit & equipped talent pool in the laboratory function to deliver on operational and strategic dimensions of the Agri Business Division.
Laboratory responsibilities:
- Lead, direct and develop the Laboratory Team.
- Investigate & implement new programs, tests, sampling methods & protocols, instrumentation, and procedures;
- Ensure future lines and processes will be integrated into laboratory operations;
- Ensure constant updating of lab methods and practices in collaboration with R&D (where appropriate) and the Scientific Advisory Committee;
- Ensure day to day operation of laboratory provides effective & continuous service ensuring full QA and specification compliance of all raw materials and packaging upon receipt & during storage as well as process samples and finished products;
- Ensure laboratory methods and practices reliability benchmarked against worldwide standards including parallel testing (Proficiency Testing) for all key test methods;
- Network across other laboratories in the Group to share knowledge and capability including investigating any rationalisation potential with other company laboratories;
- Evaluate the effectiveness of actions taken to address the Laboratory Non-conformances and Corrective & Preventive Actions.
- Maintain preventive maintenance programme for all Laboratory equipment, ensuring instrument performance and minimising breakdowns. Arranging equipment replacement as required.
- Contribute to monthly Quality workshops.
- Attending relevant site meetings.
- Compliance with internal and external standards (including Regulatory, GAFTA, AOAC, AACC, ICC, ISO Laboratory procedures, CODEX, EU Food Standards, FDA Standards).
HSE (Health, Safety & Environment ) responsibilities:
- Ensure the safety of the design of all laboratory equipment as well as the laboratory safe practices.
- Implement & maintain control of any chemical hazards found in the laboratory ensuring risks is mitigated through control measures.
Operations responsibilities:
- Support continuous improvement programs in conjunction with production team.
- Ensure that testing is done in an efficient way & laboratory results are provided in a timely manner
- Provide technical recommendations in issues concerning testing of materials / products.
Supply Chain responsibilities:
- Assist the QA Department in developing a monitoring / sampling & testing plan for raw & finished goods.
- Ensuring all co-manufacturing locations are supported in terms of laboratory testing and training if required.
Customer Service responsibilities:
- Assist the QA Department, Sales and Commercial teams in dealing with customer complaints & requests in terms of technical support & testing.
R & D responsibilities:
- Contributing to the development of new products & technologies according to stage gate processes.
- Assisting in the development & review of raw material & finished product specifications.
Cost responsibilities:
- Ensure Laboratory operation cost is optimised through maximum productivity of equipment and human resources in order to deliver against operational targets.
- Control of inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing & expediting orders for supplies.
- Responsible for ensuring laboratory is run in a cost effective manner.
- Seeking opportunities for synergies & value creation within the Group.
