Head of Technical Services

NicheHR Global

Engineering & Technology

,

Job Title: Safety, Quality and Technical Services Head

Location: Owo State, Nigeria

Industry: Edible Oil Processing

Reporting To: Executive Leadership

Job Overview:

We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to oversee Safety, Quality, and Technical Services across multiple edible oil processing sites in Nigeria. The Safety, Quality and Technical Services Head (SQATS) will lead a cross-functional team responsible for ensuring operational excellence through best-in-class safety standards, robust quality systems, asset care, and capital project execution. This role is pivotal in building, training, and leading site-based teams while implementing centralized technical strategies and systems.

Key Responsibilities:

People & Team Management

• Recruit, onboard, and train Factory Managers and resident Quality Managers at various sites.
• Build and lead a team of national heads in Quality , Safety , Maintenance , and Processing .
• Manage Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Officers.
• Conduct regular training programs for site teams (e.g., PPE use, quality control, safety protocols).

Safety & Environmental Compliance

• Implement and oversee workplace safety systems and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with local and international safety standards.
• Lead SHE initiatives including risk assessments, audits, and preventive programs.

Quality Assurance & Certifications

• Establish and manage centralized QA systems and frameworks across all units.
• Drive certifications and accreditations such as HACCP , BRC , and other relevant industry standards.
• Ensure continuous improvement in quality parameters and customer compliance.

Technical Services & Maintenance

• Develop and implement a centralized asset care plan (preventive and time-based maintenance).
• Manage a common maintenance pool rather than unit-based teams for better efficiency.

Capital Projects & Budgeting

• Lead the planning and execution of CAPEX and OPEX budgets.
• Oversee all project implementation activities related to plant upgrades and expansions.
• Track performance of technical investments and report KPIs to senior leadership.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Timely recruitment and capability building of Factory and QA Managers.
• Budget adherence and successful execution of Capex/Opex projects.
• Uptime of critical assets through preventive maintenance planning.
• Successful audit outcomes and retention of quality certifications.
• Safety incident reduction, SHE compliance scores.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in Engineering, Food Technology, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10-15 years of experience in a manufacturing or food processing environment, preferably in the edible oil industry .
• Proven track record of managing multi-site operations and cross-functional teams.
• Strong knowledge of quality systems , safety protocols , and asset management .
• Familiarity with international certifications such as HACCP, BRC, ISO, etc.

Skills Required:

• Strategic thinking and leadership
• Strong project management skills
• Communication and team-building abilities
• Risk management and compliance orientation
Technical acumen in manufacturing systems

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