Quality Lab Lead📣 Job Ad

About the Role

Unilever is seeking a dedicated Quality Lab Lead to join its team in Jeddah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. This full-time position is essential for maintaining high standards of supply and system quality across operations. The role involves managing quality control for inbound materials, driving supplier improvement initiatives, and overseeing ex-factory quality operations. This position contributes to work that matters for people and the planet.

Key Responsibilities

The Quality Lab Lead will manage critical functions including Hygiene, HACCP studies, factory cleaning, the Integrated Management System, and external audits. Responsibilities include conducting quality health checks, internal factory audits, managing documentation, driving QA and process lab improvements, developing laboratory procedures, and overseeing trials for bulk, raw, packaging, and finished goods. A strong focus will be placed on regulatory compliance, instrument calibration, and evaluating the testing capabilities of process operators and analysts, while developing efficient factory processes and end-line operations.

• Lead the Quality Laboratory to ensure all finished goods, bulk, raw, and packaging materials are properly sampled, analyzed, recorded, cleared, and comply with Unilever specifications before release to the shop floor.
• Strengthen and improve quality sampling, inspection, and testing procedures and resources to prevent line failures and efficiency losses due to defective materials.
• Ensure and facilitate warehouses in providing awareness and effective monitoring and controls during the handling, transportation, and storage of raw and packaging materials within and outside factory premises.
• Develop suppliers to control all inbound non-conformances related to raw and packaging materials and lead quality improvement projects with suppliers from the factory.
• Ensure all Quality and Process Lab Instruments are calibrated and monitored to provide accurate material analysis.
• Manage product non-conformances in the factory by physically blocking and systemically recording them, ensuring proper investigation and implementation of preventive actions.
• Support the development of analytical methods for new products, raw, and packaging materials introduced to the factory, in collaboration with laboratory instruments.
• Coordinate with Complaint & Rework Management, export, and/or promo activities in accordance with Unilever Quality requirements.
• Represent Quality in all capability trials with R&D and Production within the factory related to product, raw, and packaging materials.
• Attend innovation meetings and other forums for all BUL related product categories.
• Represent Quality in the absence of the QA Manager as per assigned authority.
• Ensure the implementation and proper compliance validation of the Quality Management System (ISO 9001), HACCP, Consumer Safety, Cleaning, GMP System (ISO 22716), SASO, and SFDA requirements across all key factory functions.
• Build and sustain a quality reporting system, ensuring thorough data analysis before external sharing.
• Maintain 5S conditions within the department, including personal workspace, and conduct 5S inspections for quality and process laboratories.
• Facilitate UMS activities with QM members, coordinating with PEs and Technical teams to ensure the implementation of Quality Maintenance on Laboratory & Making Operations to eliminate defects.
• Participate and engage with the team in generating OPLs and KAIZENS for the Quality Pillar.
• Provide necessary training (on-job and classroom sessions) on Quality, HACCP, GMP, MSDS, and QMS.
• Develop the team's skills in inspections, analysis, decision-making, reporting, communication, quality, and consumer understanding.
• Uplift quality engagement of employees within the factory and work closely with PEs and Operators to develop a Quality Culture and consumer mindset.
• Maintain the highest quality standards, ensure safe working practices, and care for the environment through total compliance with guidelines and targets set in Health, Safety & Environment, Quality and Consumer Safety, UMS, and Customer Service on BUL Factory.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Graduate of Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Biochemistry.
• Minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience or working knowledge in FMCG manufacturing with a background in Quality or Analytical Laboratory as an added advantage.
• Must possess a logical and methodical approach to work.
• Fluent in spoken and written Arabic and English.
• Good knowledge of QMS, GMP, and HACCP.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Proficient computer understanding.
• Demonstrated ability to be a team player.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to provide training.

Required Skills

• Quality Control
• Supplier Improvement
• Hygiene Management
• HACCP
• Integrated Management System
• External Audits
• Internal Audits
• Document Management
• Quality Assurance
• Process Improvement
• Laboratory Procedures
• Regulatory Compliance
• Instrument Calibration
• Analytical Skills
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Problem-Solving
• QMS
• GMP
• ISO 9001
• ISO 22716
• SASO
• SFDA
• 5S
• Kaizen

Work Environment and Location

This is a full-time position based in Jeddah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Unilever is an organization committed to equity, inclusion, and diversity, believing a diverse workforce matches growth ambitions and drives inclusion. The company is interested in every individual bringing their 'Whole Self' to work. If support or access requirements are needed during the recruitment process, please advise at the time of application.