Laboratory Manager, Contaminants & Pesticides

Laboratory Manager, Contaminants & Pesticides

Permanent position in 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, method validation, and reliable equipment. 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.

Must‑Haves

• Master’s degree (minimum 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 responsible for managing and developing teams (8+ staff), setting performance objectives / KPIs, 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 determination, accuracy, precision, linearity, recovery, robustness and uncertainty estimation in accordance with GUM guidelines.
• Strong 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 (columns, solvents, CRM / standards), 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 compliance with regulatory specifications.
• 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, including fatty acids, vitamins, mycotoxins (LC‑MS / MS) and heavy metals (ICP‑OES / ICP‑MS), with exposure to Design of Experiments (DoE) and chemometric analysis (PCA / PLS).
• Client‑facing experience, ensuring report accuracy, turnaround time (TAT) 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.

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