Head - Food Lab

Food Testing Laboratory Leadership | Multi-Section Operations | NABL Audit Ownership POSITION DETAILS Position: Head — Food Lab Organisation: Edward Food Research & Analysis Centre Limited (EFRAC) — A QIMA Company Location: Kolkata, India Function: Food Testing Laboratory Leadership Experience: Minimum 10 Years | Preferred 12–15 Years Reporting to: Senior Management / CEO Accreditations: NABL Accredited | ISO/IEC 17025:2017 | USFDA Inspected | FSSAI Notified | APEDA Notified Read This First — Mandatory This role requires: - Confident spoken English for NABL audit discussions, client interactions, and senior management reviews - Strong computer literacy — direct use of LIMS, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and digital quality systems - Hands-on technical authority across multiple food testing sections — not documentation or coordination only If you are not comfortable defending technical positions during NABL audits, or depend on others for basic computer work — this role will not be suitable. Role Summary EFRAC is seeking an experienced Head — Food Lab to own and lead the complete technical and operational management of its Food Testing Laboratory. This is a high-accountability, audit-facing leadership role requiring deep food analytical expertise, multi-section operational oversight, and the ability to drive scope expansion, technical excellence, and regulatory compliance across India's most comprehensive food testing facility. The Food Lab Head will serve as the final technical authority for all food testing operations — accountable for analytical quality, team performance, regulatory readiness, and client deliverables. Mandatory Experience — Non-Negotiable You must demonstrate most of the following: - Minimum 10–15 years of experience in food analytical testing laboratories - Leadership of multi-section food testing operations under ISO/IEC 17025 (latest version) - Direct technical ownership across wide scope food testing including: ◦ Pesticide Residues — LC-MS/MS · GC-MS/MS · multi-residue methods (500+ molecules) ◦ Heavy Metals & Elemental Contaminants — ICP-MS · AAS · ICP-OES ◦ Mycotoxins · Veterinary Drug Residues · Antibiotic Residues ◦ Microbiological Testing — pathogens · indicator organisms · environmental monitoring ◦ Nutritional Labelling & Compositional Analysis ◦ Food Additives · Colors · Preservatives · Sweeteners ◦ Allergen Screening · GMO Detection · Adulteration & Authenticity Testing ◦ Dioxins & Furans · PFAS · PAH · PCB Analysis - Audit-facing leadership — direct ownership during NABL, FSSAI, APEDA, EIC, and client audits - Method validation oversight across multiple analytical platforms and food matrices - LIMS management and data integrity enforcement (ALCOA+ principles) ⛔ Candidates limited to single-section leadership, documentation-only roles, or non-audit positions are not suitable. Acceptable Profiles Profile A — Third-Party Food Testing Lab Leader (Strongly Preferred) - Technical and operational leadership in NABL accredited food testing laboratories - Strong ISO/IEC 17025 interpretation, implementation, and audit defence experience - Multi-section, multi-instrument laboratory management with wide scope coverage Profile B — Senior Food Analytical Professional (Selective) - Senior technical role in food analytical or regulatory testing - Deep method validation expertise across complex food matrices - Demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage operational delivery at scale - Must be able to step into full laboratory leadership immediately ✔ Hands-on analytical background (LC-MS/MS · GC-MS/MS · ICP-MS · HPLC) is a strong advantage ⛔ Pure research, academic, or manufacturing QC profiles will not be considered. Key Responsibilities Technical Leadership - Serve as final technical authority for all food testing operations - Lead and defend NABL audits, FSSAI assessments, APEDA/EIC inspections, and client audits - Drive scope expansion, method development, and technical harmonisation across sections - Review and approve method validations, deviations, investigations, and CAPAs - Ensure data integrity culture and ALCOA+ compliance across all food lab sections - Present technical performance, risks, and quality metrics to senior management Operational Management - Manage day-to-day operations across all food testing sections with accountability for TAT and quality - Plan and allocate resources — instruments, personnel, consumables — for operational efficiency - Monitor sample throughput, turnaround time, and productivity metrics - Oversee LIMS data management, instrument qualification, and maintenance programs - Coordinate with QA, stores, and client service teams for seamless laboratory delivery Team Leadership - Lead, mentor, and develop section heads, senior analysts, and analytical teams - Conduct technical training, performance reviews, and competency assessments - Build a culture of analytical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement Client & Regulatory Interface - Engage with key clients on technical queries, audit support, and customised testing requirements - Represent EFRAC in technical discussions with NABL, FSSAI, APEDA, EIC, and regulatory bodies - Support business development through technical proposals and capability presentations Qualification Minimum: M.Sc. / M.Tech in Food Science · Food Technology · Chemistry · Biochemistry · Analytical Chemistry or related life sciences discipline Preferred: Ph.D. or equivalent advanced qualification in relevant discipline Experience Minimum: 10 Years Preferred: 12–15 Years in food analytical testing laboratories Leadership: Minimum 5 years in a section head or laboratory leadership role Technical Skills Required Analytical Platforms - LC-MS/MS · GC-MS/MS · ICP-MS · ICP-OES · HPLC-PDA/FLD · UPLC · AAS · ELISA · RT-PCR · HRGC-HRMS Regulatory Frameworks - FSSAI · NABL · APEDA · EIC · EU MRL Regulations · CODEX Alimentarius · AOAC · SANTE - Tea Board · Spice Board · BIS/IS Standards Quality & Compliance Systems - ISO/IEC 17025 (latest version) · GLP · Data Integrity (ALCOA+) · LIMS / QMS Computer Skills - MS Excel (data analysis, trackers) · MS Word · PowerPoint · LIMS / QMS platforms - Strong spoken and written English — essential for audits, client interactions, and management reviews Mandatory Skills & Competencies - Strong spoken and written English communication — audit-facing and client-facing - Confident technical discussion with NABL assessors, regulatory bodies, and clients - High level of computer literacy including LIMS, QMS, MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint - Ability to interpret and apply ISO/IEC 17025 in complex, multi-client laboratory environments - Strong decision-making under regulatory and operational pressure - Ability to mentor and develop technical teams across multiple analytical disciplines How to Apply Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a technical screening questionnaire covering food testing scope, ISO/IEC 17025 implementation, and audit scenario responses. Only candidates with clear, decisive technical leadership thinking will move forward.