Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

Capwell Industries Limited (henceforth referred to as CIL) started its operations in 1999 with a modern maize milling factory in Thika. It manufactures high quality flour, rice pulses and porridges, using the best processes and technologies available. CIL has since diversified its operations to rice milling, porridge milling, packaging of wheat flour and distribution of fruit juice

Role Purpose

This is a senior leadership role with full accountability for Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Food Safety, Regulatory Compliance, and Research & Development across all Capwell operations. The successful candidate will be both strategic and hands-on, responsible for building world-class quality systems, ensuring regulatory compliance, driving export readiness, and leading product innovation from concept to commercialization.

Responsibilities or duties

Quality Assurance & Food Safety Leadership

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the company’s Quality Management and Food Safety Systems across all Capwell sites.
• Ensure full compliance with Kenyan food safety and manufacturing regulations, including all applicable KEBS standards and requirements.
• Act as the primary liaison with KEBS and other regulatory authorities, leading all inspections, audits, certifications, and regulatory engagements.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve Capwell’s Quality & Environmental Management System (Q&EMS) and Food Safety Management System (FSMS) in line with KEBS, HACCP, GMP, ISO 22000, ISO 17025, and export market standards.
• Drive continuous improvement in hygiene standards, process controls, traceability, allergen management, and product safety across all plants.

Multi-Site Quality Oversight

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance across all Capwell manufacturing and distribution sites.
• Standardize quality systems, procedures, and specifications across all locations while respecting local regulatory requirements.
• Conduct regular site audits, risk assessments, and performance reviews to ensure consistent application of quality standards.
• Build, coach, and develop site-based QA/QC teams, creating a strong quality culture throughout the organization.

Export & International Standards Readiness

• Lead the development of quality systems suitable for the production of safe foods for export to Europe, the US, and other regulated markets.
• Ensure compliance with customer, retailer, and international regulatory requirements, including documentation, specifications, and product approvals.
• Support export product registrations, certifications, and customer audits.

Research & Development (R&D)

• Take full ownership of the R&D function, leading the development of new products from concept through to commercialization.
• Work closely with Commercial, Operations, and Marketing teams to develop market-ready, value-added food products.
• Ensure new products meet quality, food safety, regulatory, shelf-life, and cost requirements prior to launch.
• Oversee product trials, scale-up, sensory evaluation, shelf-life testing, and validation.

Continuous Improvement & Risk Management

• Analyze quality performance data, customer complaints, non-conformances, and recalls, driving root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Lead food safety risk assessments for new processes, equipment, and products.
• Champion a proactive food safety and quality culture across all levels of the organization.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Key Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related discipline. Post-graduate qualifications or certifications in Food Safety or Quality Management are an added advantage.
• 8–10+ years’ progressive experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Food Safety, and Regulatory Compliance within FMCG / food manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience operating at Head of Quality, Senior QA/QC Manager, or equivalent leadership level.
• Strong, hands-on experience dealing with KEBS, including audits, certifications, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong working knowledge and implementation experience in HACCP, GMP, ISO 22000, ISO 17025, and food safety management systems.
• Experience managing multi-site manufacturing operations or regional quality portfolios.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading export readiness, including international certifications and compliance with regulated export markets.
• Solid exposure to R&D and new product development, including commercial product launches, process validation, and scale-up.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and risk assessment capability.
• High levels of integrity, resilience, and leadership maturity, with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including engagement with regulators, auditors, suppliers, and senior leadership.

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the company’s Quality Management and Food Safety Systems across all Capwell sites.
• Ensure full compliance with Kenyan food safety and manufacturing regulations, including all applicable KEBS standards and requirements.
• Act as the primary liaison with KEBS and other regulatory authorities, leading all inspections, audits, certifications, and regulatory engagements.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve Capwell’s Quality & Environmental Management System (Q&EMS) and Food Safety Management System (FSMS) in line with KEBS, HACCP, GMP, ISO 22000, ISO 17025, and export market standards.
• Drive continuous improvement in hygiene standards, process controls, traceability, allergen management, and product safety across all plants.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership for Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance across all Capwell manufacturing and distribution sites.
• Standardize quality systems, procedures, and specifications across all locations while respecting local regulatory requirements.
• Conduct regular site audits, risk assessments, and performance reviews to ensure consistent application of quality standards.
• Build, coach, and develop site-based QA/QC teams, creating a strong quality culture throughout the organization.
• Lead the development of quality systems suitable for the production of safe foods for export to Europe, the US, and other regulated markets.
• Ensure compliance with customer, retailer, and international regulatory requirements, including documentation, specifications, and product approvals.
• Support export product registrations, certifications, and customer audits.
• Take full ownership of the R&D function, leading the development of new products from concept through to commercialization.
• Work closely with Commercial, Operations, and Marketing teams to develop market-ready, value-added food products.
• Ensure new products meet quality, food safety, regulatory, shelf-life, and cost requirements prior to launch.
• Oversee product trials, scale-up, sensory evaluation, shelf-life testing, and validation.
• Analyze quality performance data, customer complaints, non-conformances, and recalls, driving root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Lead food safety risk assessments for new processes, equipment, and products.
• Champion a proactive food safety and quality culture across all levels of the organization.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and risk assessment capability.
• High levels of integrity, resilience, and leadership maturity, with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including engagement with regulators, auditors, suppliers, and senior leadership.

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related discipline. Post-graduate qualifications or certifications in Food Safety or Quality Management are an added advantage.
• 8–10+ years’ progressive experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Food Safety, and Regulatory Compliance within FMCG / food manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience operating at Head of Quality, Senior QA/QC Manager, or equivalent leadership level.
• Strong, hands-on experience dealing with KEBS, including audits, certifications, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong working knowledge and implementation experience in HACCP, GMP, ISO 22000, ISO 17025, and food safety management systems.
• Experience managing multi-site manufacturing operations or regional quality portfolios.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading export readiness, including international certifications and compliance with regulated export markets.
• Solid exposure to R&D and new product development, including commercial product launches, process validation, and scale-up.