Department: Quality Assurance

Reports To: Factory Manager

Supervises: Laboratory Technician

Job Summary

Our client, a leading oral care products manufacturer in Uganda, is seeking a dedicated Quality Assurance Officer to oversee and enhance its Quality Management System (QMS). In this role, you will be responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving quality protocols to ensure all products consistently meet internal standards, customer expectations, and local regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate will drive product integrity and regulatory compliance while championing continuous improvement across the entire manufacturing lifecycle.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Quality Management System

• Develop, implement and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Ensure compliance with ISO standards, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and company quality policies.
• Review and update quality procedures, work instructions and quality manuals.
• Lead internal quality audits and coordinate external audits.

2. Product Quality Assurance

• Ensure all raw materials, packaging materials, work-in-progress and finished products meet quality specifications.
• Establish quality control procedures and inspection standards.
• Approve or reject products based on quality specifications.
• Investigate quality defects and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

3. Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with the requirements of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and other relevant regulatory authorities.
• Coordinate product certification and quality inspections.
• Ensure proper documentation for regulatory inspections.
• Monitor compliance with applicable environmental and occupational health standards.

4. Laboratory Management

• Oversee laboratory testing of raw materials, finished products and environmental samples.
• Ensure laboratory equipment is calibrated and maintained.
• Review laboratory reports and authorize product release.

5. Production Quality Monitoring

• Monitor production processes to ensure compliance with quality standards.
• Conduct routine factory inspections.
• Ensure adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Identify quality risks and recommend preventive measures.

6. Customer Complaints Management

• Investigate customer complaints relating to product quality.
• Conduct root cause analysis.
• Implement corrective actions.
• Prepare complaint investigation reports.
• Monitor trends and recommend quality improvements.

7. Supplier Quality Management

• Evaluate and approve suppliers based on quality requirements.
• Conduct supplier quality audits.
• Monitor supplier performance.
• Ensure incoming materials comply with approved specifications.

8. Documentation and Record Keeping

• Maintain quality records and reports.
• Ensure traceability of products.
• Manage document control systems.
• Prepare monthly quality performance reports.

9. Staff Training

• Develop quality awareness programmes.
• Train employees on GMP, HACCP (where applicable), hygiene and quality procedures.
• Assess competency of quality staff.
• Promote a quality culture across the organization.

10. Continuous Improvement

• Analyse quality trends and recommend process improvements.
• Lead quality improvement projects.
• Reduce product defects, waste and customer complaints.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.

11. Health, Safety and Hygiene

• Ensure compliance with workplace health and safety requirements.
• Promote good housekeeping practices.
• Ensure sanitation and hygiene standards are maintained.
• Participate in safety inspections and risk assessments.

12. Budget and Resource Management

• Prepare the departmental budget.
• Control quality department costs.
• Ensure adequate laboratory supplies and equipment.
• Recommend investments in quality improvement technologies.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Percentage of products meeting quality standards (First Pass Yield)
• Customer complaint rate
• Product rejection rate
• Production defect rate
• Internal audit compliance score
• External audit compliance score
• Number of corrective actions closed on time
• Supplier quality performance
• Product recall incidents (Target: Zero)
• Laboratory testing turnaround time
• Percentage reduction in quality-related waste
• Training completion rate
• UNBS compliance status
• ISO audit performance
• Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Quality Assurance, Industrial Chemistry, Food Science and Technology, Industrial Engineering, Chemistry, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Manufacturing Engineering or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of progressive experience in quality assurance within an FMCG manufacturing environment.
• Experience in implementing Quality Management Systems (QMS).
• Experience working with ISO standards, GMP, HACCP and regulatory compliance. (added advantage)

Knowledge and Skills

• Understanding of UNBS regulations and quality standards.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality testing procedures.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Good report writing and documentation skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality management software.

Competencies

• Leadership and decision-making
• Attention to detail
• Integrity and professionalism
• Strategic thinking
• Analytical mindset
• Problem-solving ability
• Planning and organizational skills
• Time management
• Continuous improvement orientation
• Customer focus
• Accountability
• Results orientation
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Adaptability and resilience

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and a cover letter detailing their suitability for the role to careers@bondrichadvisorygroup.com