New Jobs And Internships At Natural Extracts Industries Ltd (NEI), February 2022

Background

Natural Extracts Industries Ltd (NEI) is pioneering the sustainable, natural flavour manufacturing industry

in Tanzania for global export, starting with vanilla and other flavour extracts. The company works in all areas from cultivation, to post-harvest processing, value-add manufacturing and international sales and marketing. The smallholder outgrower network currently integrates over 6,000 vanilla farmers from Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Morogoro, Mbeya and Kagera regions and through this sourcing model NEI aims to deliver a long term socioeconomic impact by doubling annual income per smallholder household.

NEI is currently looking for highly motivated and competent individuals to join its fast-growing Quality Assurance (QA) and Product R&D Team.

LABORATORY AND R&D LEAD (1 POST)

Overview

The role of the Laboratory and R&D Lead is to work as part of the NEI Quality Assurance Department to

support the Quality Assurance and R&D Manager in researching, developing and producing the safest

and most premium quality product in compliance with regulatory requirements and exceeding

customer expectations. The role provides leadership to the operation, schedule and function of the

analytical chemistry laboratory to meet the needs of the vanilla extraction and curing production

facilities, ensuring the analytical results are accurate and delivered on a timely basis.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and customer-specific needs

● Understanding and following local regulatory requirements (e.g., TBS, TMDA, OSHA,

SIDO, SBT, GCLA), International voluntary standards ( ISO/IEC 17025, FSSC 22000v5.1,

Organic and Kosher certifications) and Good Laboratory Practice requirements

● Establishing and maintaining the company's Laboratory and Quality Management

System according to ISO/IEC 17025 compliance

● To provide research based solutions for the QA manager/management and development

of analytical testing to support the vanilla industry in Tanzania, Uganda and East Africa

more broadly

● Implementing a culture of continuous improvement (CCI) and lean operations

● Understanding and meeting customer expectations and specifications

2. Laboratory Operations

● Lead/Manage the day to day operations of the laboratory

● Lead/manage laboratory calibration and maintenance service contracts, and overall lab

maintenance.

● Keep adequate stocks of laboratory supplies inventory by checking stock to determine

inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies;

verifying receipt of supplies and reporting usage monthly.

● Plan, manage and oversee the operation and delivery of services and technical processes

within the laboratory

● Assist the QA and R&D Manager to identify the causes of and resolve any poor analytical

performance problems and review the need for laboratory technicians' training

● Quickly assess situations, find solutions and take decisive action, often under pressure of

deadlines.

Accurately carry out routine tasks in the event of high workload and/or absence of

laboratory staff and follow laboratory SOPs to carry out analyses.

● Operate and troubleshoot laboratory equipment according to manufacturer's

instructions and laboratory standard operating procedures.

● Conduct and review accurate data entry for quality control and to generate Certificates

of Analysis (CoA) compliant with technical product specifications and customer

requirements

● Manage product development trials and testing, method/process development,

evaluation and validation

● Manage the smooth operation of the laboratory waste disposal function and laboratory

housekeeping

3. Laboratory Quality System

● Ensure analysis and reporting is undertaken in accordance with the NEI Laboratory

Quality Management Systems

● Inter-laboratory Results fall within acceptable quality criteria testing ranges and are

within accepted standards

● Ensure all testing is monitored by adequate internal quality control and any corrective

measures are recorded

● Keep accurate sample records, product development sheets as per laboratory quality

system requirements

● Ensure accurate transcription of data from workbooks, worksheets etc. to Laboratory an

available computer-based computer database (e.g., SourceTrace, Google sheets, ERP

the system, etc)

● Ensure all Quality records, data and information are available and retrievable in timely

manner

● Ensuring non-conformances are identified and documented. Facilitate for the Laboratory

team to eliminate variation and strive for zero errors. Facilitate internal and external

audits

4. Product Research and Development

● In collaboration with QA and R&D Manager, Production and Sales team, create and

manage the new product development pipeline portfolio, to ensure successive annual

roll-outs of value-added profitable products, to achieve NEI corporate objective growth

targets

● Assist QA and R&D Manager to provides leadership and support for the design,

development, refinement, and implementation of products by

○ Initiating research to develop new products to meet customer needs; testing

consumer acceptance of products (e.g sensory evaluation) and work with

production/Logistics team to identify packaging improvements

○ Following proper methodologies including the application of Quality Deployment

Function (QDF), Process Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA) and Statistical

Process Control (SPC)

● Provide technical expertise for products and processes in development, new or

improvement of existing. Planning, execution, and evaluation of products while

maintaining food safety and regulatory requirements specific to the product

development.

5. Corrective Preventive Actions

● Oversee the implementation and practice of laboratory programs and Food Safety and

Laboratory Quality procedures

● Systematically raise Out of Specifications (OOS) or Non-conformances as necessary

● Perform root cause analysis

● Eliminate testing variation and strive for zero errors

● Other duties as required to fulfil the primary objective of promoting quality and food

safety within NEI

● Quarantine finished product as per company policies and procedures

6. Personal & Personnel Development

● Training and development needs are identified, agreed with direct line manager and

implemented annually

● Participate in training in accordance with Quality department training metrics.

● Pass any courses funded in anyway by NEI, and implement new skills learned to improve

QA and laboratory operations

● Participates in the performance appraisal process where personal performance and

development is reviewed

7. Problem Solving

● Participate in continuous product and process improvement

● Maintaining a mindset of continuous improvement in terms of efficiency and customer

satisfaction

● Identify problems and offer solutions to overcome these

● Actively resolve problems in the area of responsibility by putting control measures in

the place to prevent a recurrence.

8. Team Work

● Able to work with other people in a productive manner

● Attend daily QA operational meetings, weekly production/processing meetings and

communicate any problems or solutions to the line supervisor

● Communicate clearly, directly and on a timely basis

9. Policies and Procedures

● Comply with and ensure all company policies, procedures are followed

● Comply with all OSHA policies and procedures

● Perform your duties in a manner that is not hazardous to you or other employees

● Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as specified

● Report all accidents, near misses and unsafe work practices/hazards to your

Manager/Supervisor

Desired Qualifications & Experience

● Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Biotechnology, Chemical or Process Engineering, Chemistry

or Biochemistry

● At least 3-4 years of extensive relevant experience in a management position within a laboratory

environment.

● Well-developed written communication skills with the demonstrated ability to write reports

● Demonstrated experience in the development, validation and maintenance of laboratory

operating procedures.

● Demonstrated relationship management experience from lead generation through to maturity

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

● High level of communication and people management skills.

● Ability to develop and lead a team of laboratory technicians.

● Ability to successfully function in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment.

● Has good working relationships with others inside and outside of the business.

● Applies the drive and energy for getting the job done

● Strong knowledge of laboratory operating procedures

● Self-starter with a passion and persistence and a positive attitude

FOOD SCIENTIST INTERN (1 POST)

Overview

The Food scientist Intern provides assistance to the Food Safety Lead in order to support the overall

functioning of the Quality Assurance and R&D Department. The QA department is responsible for

ensuring that the company produces the highest quality products while staying compliant with food

safety (e.g Kosher & Organic certifications, FSSC 22000: 2018v5.1 et) and regulatory requirements

(TBS, SIDO, SBT, OSHA, NEMC, TMDA, GCLA etc). Our goal is to continuously improve our processes

(Kaizen), our implementation of those processes which result in producing and supplying the highest quality product possible to our customers.

The Food Scientist Intern is a learning and task-focused position with specific learning goals and deliverables to be accomplished during the time the intern is working with NEI .

Duties and Responsibilities

● Assist the QA officer to ensure the Food Safety and Quality Management system policies and procedures have adhered in the Factory

● Participate/assist in the establishment of all validation studies required in the process according to

ISO/FSSC 22000, including but not limited to, Preventative controls (microbial control),

sanitation and cleaning.

● Conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis of raw, interim and end material acceptability

● Review, update and integrate existing documentation and databases with new initiatives

● Conduct Shelf life studies/sensory evaluations

● Responsible for ensuring the lab is clean including, but not limited to, washing dishes, taking

out the trash, cleaning incubator, refrigerator, and autoclave equipment.

● Learn and assist with making sampling in production line product samples, suppliers, and or, environmental samples

● Learn and assist with validation, monitoring ( e.g daily GMP/GHP inspection) and verification of food safety hazard control measures

● Monitor production line activities to ensure standards

● Finished product checks in the high care and goods out areas, checking the quality of product, labelling, packaging and general acceptability

● Assist with process PRPs, OPRPs and CCPs daily checks such as Blanching temperature

monitoring and moisture and Vanillin content determination

● Assist in dealing with customer complaints

● Ensure factory and environmental cleanliness at all times

● Follow, without exception, all health/safety rules and quality control measures as per the

Company's Quality Management System (QMS), including all Standard Operating Procedures

(SOPs) , Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), FSSC 22000v5, and regulatory requirements

(TBS, OSHA, NEMC, etc) and ensuring the production team does the same special activities as assigned by the QA Lead to further knowledge and development.

● Furthering the company mission: to become a leading African manufacturer of premium

natural flavour products for the global food markets, while providing sustainable, increased

income for smallholder farmers;

● Adhering to and instituting the company values of Integrity, Passion, Creativity, Inclusivity and Sustainability;

● Any other duties may be required from time to time by the management team or the Directors

Desired Qualifications & Experience;

● Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Food Science and Technology or Bioprocessing and Post

Harvest Engineering

● A fresh graduate from an accredited university

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

● Demonstrated understanding of the Food Safety and HACCP systems for NEI Ltd.

● Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs or Google Suits ( i.e Word and Excel, google doc and Google Sheet)

● Proficient in the use of smartphones/tablets.

● Ability to assist/operate standard lab equipment.

● Excellent time management and task prioritization abilities.

● Basic mathematical concepts.

● Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment.

● Detail-oriented and organized.

● Problem-solving skills.

● Ability to communicate proficiently in Swahili or English

● Ability to work independently.

● Ability to read/assist and interpret documents.

MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY TECHNICIAN INTERN (1 POST)

Overview

The Laboratory Technician responsibilities include preparing samples for analytical and microbiological testing of food raw materials, packaging, products, ingredients, and environment. The role is

responsible for the application of approved microbiological techniques and methodologies used in analytical testing

Duties and Responsibilities

● Prepare and test food/environmental samples for indicator organisms and chemistries

● Apply aseptic techniques in daily workload

● Maintain media and reagents as needed for daily microbiological testing

● Inventory and report expendable supplies/materials needed for testing requirements

● Maintain/clean equipment i.e. autoclaves, incubators, water baths etc.

● Perform quality control monitoring by taking incubator/Oven temperatures, running media

controls, etc.

● Independently pursue an assigned series of processes, procedures, or techniques in

accordance with NEI policies/procedures and customer requirements

● Maintain laboratory condition, to include equipment, supplies, quality assurance programs,

and accurate records throughout all procedures

● Perform all activities in a neat, safe, hygienic, and efficient manner

● Share information in a systematic, and timely manner

● Assisting with managing priorities and schedule such that individual goals, as well as team goals, are achieved with encouraging participation in the NEI Team

● Responsible for the safety of oneself and others working within their area

● Responsible for the completion of required on job or external training

Desired Qualifications & Experience;

● Ordinary Diploma ( NTA level 6) or equivalent in microbiology science, Food science and

Technology or Biotechnology from an accredited institution

● At least one year of experience in the food industry or equivalent (fresh graduate with outstanding practical experience will be considered)

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

● Experience in microbiology testing procedures and an understanding of testing requirements

within a food Industry setting

● Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, problem solve and apply sound judgement in

quickly responding to new opportunities or challenges

● Working knowledge of computer especially Microsoft Office or Google Suits (i.e., Word and

Excel, google doc and Google Sheet)

● Proficient in the use of smartphones/tablets.

● Ability to operate standard lab equipment.

● Basic mathematical concepts.

● Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment.

● Ability to communicate proficient in Swahili or English and high attention to detail

● Ability to work independently.

CHEMISTRY LABORATORY TECHNICIAN INTERN (1 POST)

Overview

The chemical technician’s responsibilities include analyzing substances to determine their chemical

composition, setting up lab equipment and monitoring experiments, compiling technical reports, and

interpreting results. The role is responsible for the application of approved chemistry and physics

techniques and methodologies used for analytical testing and you should be able to follow instructions

and collaborate with the production team and other teams such as logistics and supply chain.

Duties and Responsibilities

● Analysing flavour compound content (e.g., using a spectrophotometer) and related measures

(e.g. Vanillin content, Moisture content, water activity, refractive index, specific gravity etc.)

● Understanding and following the instructions and specifications of the production engineer,

Sales team, and customers.

● Selecting and setting up the required lab equipment for tests, experiments, and analyses.

● Conducting quantitative and qualitative analysis of raw/interim/end material acceptability

(e.g., moisture content)

● Working alongside other production teams, Food scientists and scientists to develop improved production processes and methods.

● Assisting with the preparation of chemical solutions.

● Keeping the laboratory neat and clean and sanitizing all work surfaces and equipment.

● Regularly inspecting materials and equipment and ordering more as required.

● Performs laboratory analysis, prepares reports on test results,

● Perform equipment repair requirements and calibration checks,

● Performs analytical testing with progressive learning of new test procedures and data

interpretation,

● Performs product research and development experimental tests and procedures.

● Records results of experiments according to standard laboratory techniques

Desired Qualifications & Experience;

● Ordinary Diploma ( NTA level 6) or equivalent in Laboratory Science and Technology science,

Chemistry, Food Science and Technology or Biotechnology from a accredited institution

● At least one year of experience in food industry or equivalent (fresh graduate with outstanding

practical experience will be considered)

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

● Understanding of chemical processes.

● A desire to work with team members to improve processes and product quality in a fast-paced,

physically demanding environment.

● Working knowledge of computer especially Microsoft Office or Google Suits ( i.e Word and

Excel, google doc and Google Sheet)

● Proficient in the use of smartphones/tablets.

● Ability to operate standard lab equipment.

● Basic mathematical concepts.

● Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment.

● Ability to communicate proficient in Swahili or English and high attention to detail

● Ability to work independently.

Expressions of interest

• Interested candidates should submit their cover letter and CV to hr@nei-ltd.com and
• kibunje@nei-ltd.com by 20th February 2022. Applicants must indicate the subject line for the role applied, failure to do so will result in disqualification.
• Natural Extracts Industries is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not
• engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on
• race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status,
• physical disability or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Background

Natural Extracts Industries Ltd (NEI) is pioneering the sustainable, natural flavour manufacturing

industry in Tanzania for global export, starting with vanilla and other flavour extracts. The company works in all areas from cultivation, to post-harvest processing, value-add manufacturing and international sales and marketing. The smallholder outgrower network currently integrates over 6,000 vanilla farmers from Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Morogoro, Mbeya and Kagera regions and through this sourcing model NEI aims to deliver a long term socioeconomic impact by doubling annual income per smallholder household.

Duties and Responsibilities

● Supporting the enforcement of HR policies (as per Employee Handbook) and ensuring all

employees understand and adhere to these policies, and managing the recordkeeping related

to such policies

● Support in ensuring all employee records (documents/letters/forms/personnel details/policies

signed) are properly completed and regularly filed and updated for easy access.

● Support in scanning and filling of the employee documents and uploading it to their respective

folder and filling for easy reach out.

● Support on employee leave management by ensuring proper tracking of employee’s

attendance, tracking/ updating of leave databases, to match eligibility and closing balances for

each staff member.

● Support on registration of new employees to relevant agencies, including NSSF, NHIF, etc.;

including submitting the forms to the respective offices

● Being an impartial and unbiased representative of employees to the company, and of the

company to employees, and providing feedback both ways as needed;

● Support in preparing Introduction letters as needed

● Support coordinating employee benefits on a daily basis i.e food

● Conduct any other activities as may be required to ensure NEI’s success.

Desired Qualifications & Experience;

● Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management or related field

● A fresh graduate from an accredited university

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

● Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both oral and written, in Swahili and English;

● Must be highly skilled in computer productivity packages such as Microsoft Office and Google

G Suite (e.g., Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets);

● Ability to work and thrive in a fast‑paced multi-cultural environment.

● Ability to work independently (to prioritise, multi-task and resolve problems), with limited

supervision and deliver tasks accurately and on time.

● Ability to work with confidential information.

● A passion for the food industry and social impact.

● Strong personal organizational and self-management skills.

Expressions of interest

• Interested candidates should submit their cover letter and CV to hr@nei-ltd.com by 28th February 2022. Applicants must indicate the subject line for the role applied, failure to do so will result in
• disqualification.
• Natural Extracts Industries is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not
• engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on
• race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital
• status, physical disability or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

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