Lab Assistant

Job Description Lab Assistant / Lab Operator

Position: Lab Assistant / Lab Operator

Location: Nigeria
Education: B.Sc. in Chemistry / Microbiology / Food Technology / Food Science or Diploma in relevant laboratory/food processing field

About the Role

We are looking for a Lab Assistant / Lab Operator to support quality control and laboratory activities at our rice manufacturing facility in International Location. The candidate will be responsible for conducting routine testing of paddy, rice, intermediate products, finished rice and related materials, maintaining laboratory records, and ensuring that products meet defined quality and food safety standards.

The role requires hands-on experience in a rice mill, food processing plant, grain industry, or FMCG laboratory.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct routine quality testing of paddy, milled rice, finished rice and by-products.

• Check key parameters such as:

• Moisture content

• Broken rice percentage

• Head rice percentage

• Grain length and appearance

• Chalkiness

• Foreign matter

• Impurities

• Damaged/discoloured grains

• Milling quality

• Paddy quality

• Operate and maintain laboratory testing equipment and instruments.

• Collect samples from different stages of the production process and perform testing as per SOPs.

• Maintain accurate laboratory test reports, registers and quality records.

• Communicate test results to the Quality/Production team and immediately report deviations.

• Assist in monitoring raw material quality received from suppliers.

• Perform inspection and testing of finished products before dispatch.

• Ensure laboratory instruments are properly cleaned, calibrated and maintained.

• Follow approved SOPs, GMP, HACCP and food safety practices.

• Maintain proper housekeeping and hygiene standards in the laboratory.

• Support the Quality Manager/QA-QC team during internal and external audits.

• Assist in investigating quality deviations and maintaining corrective-action records.

• Ensure proper storage, identification and handling of laboratory samples and chemicals.

• Follow all company safety procedures while handling laboratory equipment and chemicals.

• Support other quality-control activities as required by the plant.

Required Skills

• Hands-on experience in food/rice/grain quality testing.
• Good understanding of rice quality parameters and laboratory procedures.
• Knowledge of GMP, HACCP and basic food safety practices.
• Ability to operate laboratory instruments and testing equipment.
• Good knowledge of MS Excel and maintaining quality records.
• Strong observation and analytical skills.
• Ability to identify quality deviations and report them promptly.
• Good communication and coordination skills.
• Ability to work in rotational shifts in a manufacturing environment.
• Comfortable working in a plant/laboratory environment.

Preferred Experience

Candidates with experience in the following industries will be preferred:

• Rice mills / rice manufacturing
• Food processing
• Grain processing
• FMCG
• Flour mills
• Agricultural commodities
• Food testing laboratories
• Cereal processing

Preferred Candidate Profile

• 5+ years of relevant experience in Quality Control/Laboratory operations.
• Experience in rice manufacturing or grain processing will be an added advantage.
• Should be physically fit and comfortable working in a manufacturing plant.
• Should be willing to work in shifts and follow plant operating schedules.
• Candidates with international/overseas manufacturing exposure will be preferred.

Key Performance Areas (KPIs)

• Accuracy and timely completion of laboratory tests.
• Compliance with approved testing procedures and SOPs.
• Accuracy of laboratory records and reports.
• Timely identification and reporting of quality deviations.
• Compliance with GMP/HACCP and laboratory safety standards.
• Proper maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment.
• Reduction of quality-related issues in production and finished products.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work with an established rice manufacturing operation in Nigeria.
• International work exposure.
• Company-supported relocation to Nigeria, as per company policy.
• Accommodation/food/other benefits may be provided as per company policy.
• Growth opportunities within the QA/QC and Production function.