Laboratory Manager, Contaminants & Pesticides (Permanent)

Overview

Our client is a leading independent ISO 17025 accredited contract laboratory in West Africa, recognized as a regional reference center with specialization in water contamination testing and pesticide residue analysis. The laboratory supports both local and multinational companies across food, agriculture, cosmetics, environmental, and related sectors, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance with international supply chain standards. Their impartial testing, validation, and consulting services are critical to regulatory acceptance and to meeting the corporate social responsibility commitments of their clients. Position : Laboratory Manager, Contaminants & Pesticides (Permanent) Location : Ivory Coast (West Africa) About the role

The Laboratory Manager will lead a multidisciplinary team dedicated to contaminant and pesticide testing, safeguard compliance with international standards, and drive operational excellence through scientific rigor, robust method validation, and consistent equipment reliability. The role combines scientific authority with hands-on formulation control and strategic resource optimization, ensuring that analytical operations remain efficient, reliable, and ISO 17025-compliant. The successful candidate will manage and inspire a high-performing team, oversee technical direction and quality assurance, and uphold the laboratory’s reputation for accuracy, reliability, and customer trust across diverse industry sectors. Responsibilities

Lead a multidisciplinary team dedicated to contaminant and pesticide testing and ensure ISO 17025 compliance. Oversee method validation, data integrity, QA / QC programs, and instrument maintenance to ensure reliable results. Manage resource optimization, budgeting, and scheduling to maintain efficient operations. Provide scientific leadership, mentorship, and performance management for 8+ staff, including setting objectives and KPIs and driving CAPA processes. Support client-facing activities, including technical input for proposals and ensuring timely, accurate reports. Must-Haves / Qualifications

Master’s degree (equivalent to a minimum of five years of university education, including a Bachelor’s degree) in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field. Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in Technical Direction and Quality Management under ISO 17025, with demonstrated leadership responsibilities in managing and developing teams (8+ staff) and driving continuous improvement through training, mentoring, and CAPA implementation. Proven expertise in Pesticide Residue Analysis, using advanced LC and GC platforms (LC-MS / MS, GC-MS / MS, HPLC, GC-FID / ECD, Headspace GC-MS / MS) for multi-residue detection in food and environmental matrices. Comprehensive knowledge of Metrology and Method Validation, including LOD / LOQ, accuracy, precision, linearity, recovery, robustness, and uncertainty estimation in accordance with GUM guidelines. Experience in Equipment Reliability Management, including preventive and corrective maintenance, troubleshooting, and requalification (IQ / OQ / PQ) of LC / GC / MS and FT-IR / NIR systems. Proficiency in Resource Optimization and Data Integrity Management, including cost control per sample, inventory management, use of LIMS for traceability, and adherence to ALCOA+ and HSE standards. Experience in Formulation Control, including analysis of active ingredients, impurities, solvents, and co-formulants to ensure regulatory compliance. Proficiency in FT-IR and FT-NIR spectroscopy for compound identification, screening, and batch release, including use of spectral libraries and chemometric tools. Experience in broader contaminant testing (fatty acids, vitamins, mycotoxins by LC-MS / MS, heavy metals by ICP-OES / ICP-MS) with exposure to DoE and chemometric analysis (PCA / PLS). Client-facing experience, ensuring report accuracy, turnaround time compliance, and providing technical input for service proposals and client discussions. Why You Should Join

This position is ideal for a scientifically accomplished laboratory leader with hands-on expertise in pesticide and contaminant analysis who thrives in a technically rigorous, ISO 17025-compliant environment. The role offers the opportunity to lead a high-performing analytical team, contribute to regional food and environmental safety, and engage directly with local and multinational clients committed to sustainable and compliant supply chains. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Seniority level

Mid-Senior level Employment type

Full-time Job function

Science and Management Industries

Research Services Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 4 months ago We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.

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