Laboratory Manager (Talent Pool) at IITA – International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is one of the world’s leading research partners in finding solutions for hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. Our award-winning research for development (R4D) addresses the development needs of tropical countries. We work with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture.

We are a nonprofit organization founded in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and supported by several countries.

Our mission is to enhance food security and improve livelihoods in Africa through research for development (R4D).
We use the R4D model in setting a research course that addresses major development problems in Africa rather than simply contributing to scientific knowledge. It has proven to be an effective mechanism for agricultural research development. We and our partners have delivered about 70% of the international research impact in sun-Saharan Africa in the last three decades.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:
Responsibilities:
Inventory and Stores Management:

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 

Responsibilities
Workflow Coordination and Accountability:

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 

Responsibilities
Equipment and Asset Management:

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 

Responsibilities
Cost Recovery and Financial Visibility:

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

Responsibilities
Client Experience and Operational Credibility:

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
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