Job Description

Background and Purpose

The Food & Nutrition Sciences Laboratory plays a critical role in delivering high-quality analytical services, research outputs, and training that support IITA’s mandate on nutrition, food safety, and food systems transformation. The Laboratory Manager is responsible for ensuring operational excellence, system integrity, and performance visibility across the laboratory and positioning the lab for ISO certification.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

The Laboratory Manager will have end-to-end responsibility for the following five operational domains:

1. Inventory and Stores Management

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain a single, standardized digital inventory management system based on analysis standard operating procedures
Ensure weekly inventory updates and verification
Define, document, and enforce reorder thresholds
Prevent stock-outs, over-ordering, and reagent expiry
Ensure traceability and audit readiness of inventory records

Expected Outputs

Live inventory dashboard (quantities, expiry dates, value)
Reduced stock-out incidents
Improved reagent utilization and reduced waste

2. Workflow Coordination and Accountability

Responsibilities

Implement a shared task and workflow tracking system
Support clear role definition and task ownership at the system level
Ensure weekly visibility of priorities and workloads
Facilitate regular operational check-ins focused on delivery blockers
Escalate operational risks in a timely and evidence-based manner

Expected Outputs

Predictable workflows
Reduced rework and dropped tasks
Improved turnaround consistency

3. Equipment and Asset Management

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain a master equipment register
Track equipment usage, downtime, servicing, and calibration
Ensure preventive maintenance schedules are followed
Coordinate equipment servicing with internal and external providers
Minimize unplanned downtime and data quality risks

Expected Outputs

Updated equipment registry
Maintenance and calibration logs
Improved equipment uptime and reliability

4. Cost Recovery and Financial Visibility

Responsibilities

Support determination and documentation of cost per analysis
Track samples from receipt through analysis, reporting, and invoicing
Maintain records linking samples, data outputs, and invoices
Monitor operational costs and revenue on a monthly basis
Support evidence-based pricing and break-even analysis

Expected Outputs

Cost-per-analysis documentation
Sample-to-invoice traceability
Monthly deliverables and financial summary reports

5. Client Experience and Operational Credibility

Responsibilities

Support definition of standard turnaround times by analysis
Monitor delivery performance against agreed timelines
Ensure operational commitments to clients are realistic and visible
Support consistent and professional laboratory communication

Expected Outputs

Improved on-time delivery rates
Reduced client complaints
Increased repeat business and credibility
Supervise and coordinate the overall activities of the Food and Nutrition Sciences laboratory, including equipment maintenance and all laboratory operations.
Supervise technical staff and research fellows in the laboratory
Conduct analysis of chemical, physicochemical and functional properties of cassava, yam, Banana, Plantain, maize, cowpeas, and soybeans and their food products.
Provide expertise in quality control/assurance of laboratory analytical data
Identify and order all approved equipment, chemicals, and materials for the laboratory
Provide technical backstopping to national agricultural research institutes, non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations conducting activities on crop quality, processing, utilization, and product development
Contribute to capacity building on food analysis and training of corps members, industrial training, and research fellows
Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

6. Required Qualifications and Competencies

Essential

Master’s degree in laboratory sciences, operations management, or a related field with a minimum of 8 years experience.
Current IPAN certification
Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating operational and quality systems within an ISO-certified or ISO-aligned laboratory environment.
Recent, hands-on experience supporting ISO certification, accreditation, or re-certification processes.
Strong communication, teamwork, organizational, and systems management skills.
Proven ability to work confidently with data, tracking tools, dashboards, and performance indicators.
High level of integrity, accuracy, and attention to detail.

Desirable