One Acre Fund is a nonprofit organization that supplies smallholder farmers in East Africa with asset-based financing and agriculture training services to reduce hunger and poverty. The Quality Assurance Senior Supervisor is the site authority for food safety and quality assurance. The role has independent authority to approve or reject raw materials, in-process products, and finished products based on defined specifications.
Responsibilities
Product Integrity & Quality Assurance
Finished Product Compliance: Oversee the grading and classification of macadamia kernels to ensure they meet international standards and customer specifications regarding size, color, and quality defect limits.
In-Process Quality Control: Manage the hourly sampling regime at key stages (Cracking, Sorting, Drying). Ensure operators are correctly identifying critical defects such as immature nuts, insect damage, and mold.
Sensory Analysis: Enforce organoleptic testing protocols to detect early signs of rancidity (oxidative stability) or off-flavors caused by improper drying or storage.
Hold & Release: Authority to place On Hold any batch of nuts that fails moisture specs or shows signs of contamination, preventing it from reaching the packing line.
Verification: Verify monitoring records for defined Critical Control Points (e.g., drying temperatures for Salmonella control, metal detection for physical hazards). Conduct independent verification checks on CCP records to ensure accuracy and prevent record falsification.
Operational Standards: Monitor Operational Prerequisite Programs (OPRPs) such as allergen controls, sieving, or sorting performance. Immediately escalate deviations from critical limits and ensure corrective actions are implemented and documented.
Management of Team Performance
Monitoring the Monitors: Responsible for the accuracy of the quality team.
Supervision: Support QA Inspectors in incoming material checks, in-process line checks, and final packing inspections.
Sanitation Inspection: Inspect cleaners' work after they finish but before production starts, providing immediate feedback if residue is found.
Training & Competency: Maintain training matrices for teams. Ensure sanitation staff understand hygiene and chemical safety, and QA staff understand sampling validity and customer requirements.
Resource Allocation: Manage shift rotas to ensure coverage during peak seasons, ensuring no production line runs without QA presence.
Final Product Confirmation & Release Support
Review laboratory results, moisture confirmations, grading reports, and packaging compliance before recommending product release.
Conduct routine PRP inspections covering sanitation effectiveness, pest control trends, glass & hard plastic control, environmental monitoring, hygiene compliance, and waste management.
Review pest control service reports and escalate adverse trends.
Support zoning enforcement between Low Risk and High Care areas to prevent cross-contamination.
Document inspection findings and report gaps for corrective action.
Career Growth and Development
One Acre Fund has a strong culture of constant learning. You will have weekly check-ins with your manager, access to mentorship and training programs, and regular feedback on your performance. Career reviews are held every six months to discuss aspirations and goals.
Qualifications
Academic Background: A minimum of a diploma or degree in Food Science or Food Technology.
Standards Knowledge: Must have experience with ISO 22000, HACCP, FSSC 22000, or BRC standards.
Experience: Proven experience in managing a team.
Detail Oriented: Able to identify issues promptly for escalation and resolution.
Problem-Solving: Ability to identify solutions to problems encountered in a production environment.
Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Teamwork: Ability to work effectively as part of a team to accomplish common goals.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online via the One Acre Fund recruitment portal. You can access the application link at https://www.myjobmag.co.ke/apply-now/1192367 which redirects to the official Greenhouse job board.
