Background and PurposeThe 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 DutiesThe Laboratory Manager will have end-to-end responsibility for the following five operational domains: 1. Inventory and Stores ManagementResponsibilitiesEstablish and maintain a single, standardized digital inventory management system based on analysis standard operating proceduresEnsure weekly inventory updates and verificationDefine, document, and enforce reorder thresholdsPrevent stock-outs, over-ordering, and reagent expiryEnsure traceability and audit readiness of inventory recordsExpected OutputsLive inventory dashboard (quantities, expiry dates, value)Reduced stock-out incidentsImproved reagent utilization and reduced waste 2. Workflow Coordination and AccountabilityResponsibilitiesImplement a shared task and workflow tracking systemSupport clear role definition and task ownership at the system levelEnsure weekly visibility of priorities and workloadsFacilitate regular operational check-ins focused on delivery blockersEscalate operational risks in a timely and evidence-based mannerExpected OutputsPredictable workflowsReduced rework and dropped tasksImproved turnaround consistency 3. Equipment and Asset ManagementResponsibilitiesEstablish and maintain a master equipment registerTrack equipment usage, downtime, servicing, and calibrationEnsure preventive maintenance schedules are followedCoordinate equipment servicing with internal and external providersMinimize unplanned downtime and data quality risksExpected OutputsUpdated equipment registryMaintenance and calibration logsImproved equipment uptime and reliability 4. Cost Recovery and Financial VisibilityResponsibilitiesSupport determination and documentation of cost per analysisTrack samples from receipt through analysis, reporting, and invoicingMaintain records linking samples, data outputs, and invoicesMonitor operational costs and revenue on a monthly basisSupport evidence-based pricing and break-even analysisExpected OutputsCost-per-analysis documentationSample-to-invoice traceabilityMonthly deliverables and financial summary reports 5. Client Experience and Operational CredibilityResponsibilitiesSupport definition of standard turnaround times by analysisMonitor delivery performance against agreed timelinesEnsure operational commitments to clients are realistic and visibleSupport consistent and professional laboratory communicationExpected OutputsImproved on-time delivery ratesReduced client complaintsIncreased repeat business and credibilitySupervise 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 laboratoryProvide technical backstopping to national agricultural research institutes, non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations conducting activities on crop quality, processing, utilization, and product developmentContribute to capacity building on food analysis and training of corps members, industrial training, and research fellowsPerform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.Requirements6. Required Qualifications and CompetenciesEssentialMaster’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.DesirableExperience with service laboratories or cost recovery modelsFamiliarity with quality management systems or laboratory auditsExperience working in research or institutional laboratory settings
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
- Experience with service laboratories or cost recovery models
- Familiarity with quality management systems or laboratory audits
- Experience working in research or institutional laboratory settings
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a non-profit agricultural research-for-development (R4D) organization and a member of the CGIAR Consortium. We thank you for your interest in IITA and invite you to explore many opportunities.
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a non-profit agricultural research-for-development (R4D) organization and a member of the CGIAR Consortium. We thank you for your interest in IITA and invite you to explore many opportunities.
