Laboratory Technician (Vegetable Oil Extraction Plant) – Bonje, Kwale

Laboratory Technician (Vegetable Oil Extraction Plant) – Bonje, Kwale

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Laboratory Technician to support quality control operations at our vegetable oil extraction plant in Bonje, Kwale County. The successful candidate will perform laboratory testing on raw materials, in-process products, finished products, by-products, and environmental samples to ensure compliance with company specifications, customer requirements, and applicable regulatory standards. The role will also support production through timely analytical results, maintain laboratory quality systems, and ensure safe and efficient laboratory operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct sampling and laboratory analysis of incoming oilseeds, crude oil, refined oil, meal/cake, by-products, water, utilities, and environmental samples.
• Perform routine wet chemistry and instrumental analyses using validated laboratory methods and recognised analytical standards.
• Operate, maintain, calibrate, verify and troubleshoot laboratory equipment and analytical instruments.
• Verify product compliance with quality specifications and report non-conforming materials or products.
• Provide timely laboratory results to support production, process optimisation and product development activities.
• Maintain laboratory quality management systems, records and documentation in compliance with GLP, GMP, ISO, HACCP, ALCOA+ Data Integrity Principles and company quality standards.
• Support method validation, internal quality control programmes, proficiency testing and laboratory audits.
• Ensure proper sample identification, storage, traceability and retention in accordance with company procedures.
• Manage laboratory chemicals, reagents, consumables and reference materials while ensuring safe handling and storage.
• Support regulatory inspections, customer audits and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Maintain compliance with Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) requirements and promote safe laboratory practices.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and provide technical quality support to Production and other plant departments.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the QC Coordinator or Plant Management.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Analytical Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 3 to 5 years' experience in an analytical or industrial laboratory, preferably within the food processing, edible oils, manufacturing or chemical processing industry.
• Working knowledge of laboratory analytical techniques, wet chemistry and analytical instrumentation.
• Familiarity with recognised laboratory quality management systems, including GLP, GMP, ISO standards, HACCP and laboratory data integrity principles.
• Experience with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), method validation and quality control practices will be an added advantage.
• Professional certification in Quality Management will be an added advantage.