Laboratory Manager, Contaminants

Overview Laboratory Manager, Contaminants & Pesticides (Permanent) – Location: Ivory Coast (West Africa). 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 serves local and multinational companies across food, agriculture, cosmetics, environmental, and related sectors, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance with international supply chain standards. Their services include testing, validation, and consulting to support regulatory acceptance and CSR commitments. Position: Laboratory Manager, Contaminants & Pesticides (Permanent) Why this role matters: lead a multidisciplinary team in contaminant and pesticide testing, ensure compliance with international standards, and drive operational excellence through rigorous science, method validation, and equipment reliability. The role blends scientific authority with hands-on formulation control and strategic resource optimization to keep analytical operations efficient, reliable, and ISO 17025-compliant. Responsibilities 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. Provide scientific direction, quality assurance, and strategic oversight of analytical operations to maintain accuracy, reliability, and customer trust. Oversee formulation control activities and ensure alignment with regulatory specifications. Ensure timely and accurate reporting, client-facing communications, and support for proposals and technical discussions. Uphold laboratory reputation for safety, quality, and regulatory compliance across diverse sectors. Qualifications Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field (equivalent to at least five years of university education, including a Bachelor’s degree). Minimum 5 years of proven experience in technical direction and quality management under ISO 17025, with leadership responsibility for teams (8+ staff). Expertise in Pesticide Residue Analysis using 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. Knowledge of metrology and method validation (LOD/LOQ, accuracy, precision, linearity, recovery, robustness, uncertainty) per GUM guidelines. Experience in Equipment Reliability Management (preventive/corrective maintenance, troubleshooting, requalification of LC/GC/MS and FT-IR/NIR systems). Proficiency in resource optimization and data integrity management (cost control per sample, inventory management, LIMS use, ALCOA+ and HSE standards). Experience in formulation control, including analysis of active ingredients, impurities, solvents, and co-formulants for regulatory compliance. Proficiency in FT-IR and FT-NIR spectroscopy and use of spectral libraries/chemometrics for identification and batch release. Experience in broader contaminant testing (fatty acids, vitamins, mycotoxins, heavy metals) with exposure to DoE and chemometric analysis (PCA/PLS). Client-facing experience with report accuracy, turnaround time (TAT), and input for service proposals and client discussions. Why You Should Join This role 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. It offers the opportunity to lead a high-performing analytical team, contribute to regional food and environmental safety, and engage with local and multinational clients committed to sustainable and compliant supply chains. Note : Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. #J-18808-Ljbffr