Quality Controller – Avocados

Our client is a leading Hass Avocado producer and exporter operating across East Africa, renowned for delivering premium quality fresh produce to international markets. Based along the Eastern Bypass in Nairobi, this is a hands-on quality leadership role at the heart of a fast-paced horticultural export operation.

We are seeking a highly skilled and proactive Quality Controller to safeguard the integrity of avocado fruit from processing through to export. You will be responsible for ensuring every consignment meets the highest standards of quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance — protecting both the company's reputation and its international market access.

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve quality assurance policies, procedures, and standard operating procedures specific to avocado handling and export.
• Oversee and enforce compliance with internationally recognised food safety frameworks including HACCP, BRC, ISO 22000, and FSSC 22000.
• Lead, mentor, and manage the QC team — setting clear performance expectations, delivering training, and fostering a culture of quality accountability.
• Monitor all production and packing processes in real time, identify deviations, and drive rapid corrective actions to minimise waste and rework.
• Plan and conduct internal audits; coordinate and support external and third-party audits, ensuring all non-conformances are documented and resolved promptly.
• Manage supplier qualification and ongoing compliance — evaluating raw material and packaging suppliers against defined quality criteria.
• Maintain accurate, audit-ready documentation including inspection records, batch reports, corrective action logs, and customer complaint registers.
• Stay abreast of evolving Kenyan and international export regulations, phytosanitary requirements, and destination-market standards (EU, UK, Middle East, etc.).
• Lead root-cause analysis and timely resolution of quality-related incidents, customer complaints, and product rejections.
• Liaise with the production, logistics, and procurement teams to embed quality thinking across the entire supply chain.

• Demonstrate a Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Quality Management, Horticulture, Microbiology, or a closely related discipline.
• Apply a minimum of 3 years' hands-on experience in food processing quality control, ideally within fresh or frozen produce environments.
• Implement and audit food safety management systems — you must be able to interpret and enforce HACCP, BRC, ISO 22000, and FSSC 22000 requirements without supervision.
• Lead a QC team effectively — coach team members, resolve conflicts, delegate tasks, and maintain workflow efficiency under production pressure.
• Analyse quality data and produce clear, actionable reports for senior management and auditors.
• Navigate export compliance requirements for horticultural produce, including phytosanitary certificates, maximum residue levels (MRLs), and buyer-specific protocols.
• Hold or actively pursue certification in food safety or quality management (HACCP Practitioner, ISO 22000 Lead Auditor, or equivalent) — this is a strong advantage.
• Demonstrate prior experience with avocado processing, grading, and cold-chain management — candidates with this background will be prioritised.

The gross monthly salary for this role is KES 50,000 – 60,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The position is full-time and based on-site at the company's facility along the Eastern Bypass, Nairobi.

Ideal candidate: A detail-oriented food safety professional with a proven track record in fresh produce QC, strong knowledge of international food safety standards, and the ability to lead a team in a high-throughput, export-driven environment. You thrive under pressure, communicate clearly with both floor staff and senior management, and take personal ownership of product quality outcomes.

Do NOT apply if: You have fewer than 3 years of relevant food processing QC experience, have no working knowledge of HACCP or ISO 22000, are uncomfortable with on-site production floor work, or are seeking a purely desk-based or remote role.

To apply for this position, submit your updated CV and a brief cover letter highlighting your relevant QC experience and food safety certifications to the Employd Staffing recruitment team through their official website or job portal listing. Ensure your application clearly states the position title Quality Controller – Avocados and your current or expected salary. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis — apply as soon as possible.