Head Chemist

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: HEAD OF CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT

Organization: Kanda Wazirzai Global Lab Services (KWGLS), Kanda Group
Duty Station: Shorandam Industrial Park, Kandahar, Afghanistan
Employment Type: Full-time
Industry: Laboratory Testing, Food Safety, Agriculture and Quality Assurance
Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

About Kanda Group

Kanda Group is a diversified Afghan business group engaged in fruit processing and export, agricultural services, laboratory testing, and quality assurance. Through Kanda Wazirzai Global Lab Services (KWGLS), the Group is developing a modern laboratory in Kandahar to provide reliable food-safety, agricultural, chemical, and environmental testing services in accordance with international standards. We are committed to innovation, professional excellence, and strengthening Afghanistans agricultural value chain.

Position Summary

KWGLS is seeking a highly qualified, motivated, and experienced Head of Chemistry Department to lead its Chemistry Department and support the development of a modern laboratory quality system in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and GLP.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the technical and operational management of the Chemistry Department, implementation and validation of analytical methods, operation of advanced laboratory instruments, supervision and training of laboratory personnel, and leadership of activities related to quality management, method validation, proficiency testing, calibration, audits, and accreditation. He may also train and educate other laboratory staff where applicable.

The position requires a versatile analytical chemist capable of performing both technical and managerial responsibilities and ensuring accurate, reliable, traceable, and internationally acceptable laboratory results.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Technical and Analytical Leadership

• Lead and manage all technical activities of the Chemistry Department.
• Plan, supervise, and perform qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses.
• Operate and oversee advanced analytical instruments, including:
• GC-MS
• LC-MS/MS
• HPLC
• AAS
• FTIR
• UV-Visible Spectrophotometer
• Eliza
• Real Time PCR
• Interpret chromatographic, spectrometric, and spectral data.
• Develop, optimize, verify, and validate analytical methods.
• Ensure the accuracy, reliability, traceability, and timely reporting of laboratory results.
• Review and authorize analytical results, technical reports, and Certificates of Analysis.
• Provide technical guidance for food, pharmaceutical, chemical, environmental, water, and agricultural testing.

2. ISO/IEC 17025 and Quality Management

• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of the laboratorys ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Quality Management System.
• Support and lead the laboratory accreditation process within the approved scope.
• Prepare and review quality manuals, standard operating procedures, test methods, protocols, forms, and technical records.
• Ensure compliance with document control, record control, data integrity, and measurement traceability requirements.
• Establish and monitor internal quality-control procedures.
• Coordinate participation in proficiency-testing and interlaboratory-comparison programmes.
• Support internal audits, management reviews, external assessments, and accreditation-body visits.
• Identify nonconformities and ensure effective root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and preventive improvements.
• Maintain laboratory readiness for regulatory, customer, and accreditation audits.

3. Method Development and Validation

• Develop and validate analytical methods appropriate to the laboratorys testing scope.
• Prepare validation plans, protocols, calculations, and reports.
• Evaluate relevant method-performance characteristics, including:
• Accuracy and recovery
• Precision and reproducibility
• Selectivity and specificity
• Linearity and working range
• Limit of detection and limit of quantification
• Measurement uncertainty
• Robustness
• Matrix effects
• Verify standard methods before their routine implementation.
• Ensure that all testing methods remain technically valid and fit for their intended purpose.

4. Laboratory Establishment and Development

• Contribute to the establishment and development of laboratory facilities and testing sections.
• Advise management on laboratory layout, workflow, safety, environmental conditions, and contamination control.
• Support the selection, procurement, installation, commissioning, and qualification of laboratory equipment.
• Coordinate instrument IQ, OQ, and PQ activities, where applicable.
• Develop equipment calibration, verification, maintenance, and performance-monitoring schedules.
• Support the introduction of new analytical technologies and expansion of the laboratorys testing scope.

5. Instrument Management and Troubleshooting

• Ensure the proper operation, calibration, verification, and preventive maintenance of laboratory instruments.
• Troubleshoot instrument failures, analytical problems, and abnormal test results.
• Coordinate technical support and maintenance with equipment manufacturers and service providers.
• Maintain complete equipment histories, calibration records, maintenance logs, and usage records.
• Ensure that laboratory instruments are operated only by trained and authorized personnel.

6. Investigation and Corrective Action

• Investigate out-of-specification, out-of-trend, and questionable analytical results.
• Lead investigations related to deviations, nonconformities, analytical errors, and equipment failures.
• Conduct root-cause analysis and establish effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Use scientific evidence and laboratory data to support technical decisions.

7. Team Leadership and Capacity Building

• Lead, supervise, and evaluate chemists, analysts, technicians, and other departmental personnel.
• Allocate duties and ensure appropriate supervision of laboratory activities.
• Identify staff competency and training requirements.
• Develop and conduct technical training on instruments, test methods, quality control, safety, and ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.
• Assess and document the competence of laboratory personnel.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, discipline, and continuous professional improvement.
• Coordinate effectively with Quality Assurance, Microbiology, management, procurement, production, and regulatory teams.

8. Research and Innovation

• Plan and conduct scientific research, experimental studies, and data analysis.
• Contribute to research publications, technical papers, and laboratory-development projects.
• Support innovative research related to food safety, agricultural products, environmental analysis, nanocomposites, aflatoxin reduction, and other relevant areas.
• Identify opportunities to improve analytical methods, laboratory efficiency, and testing capabilities.

9. Laboratory Operations and Resource Management

• Prepare departmental work plans, priorities, performance targets, and technical reports.
• Monitor laboratory consumables, chemicals, certified reference materials, standards, reagents, and spare parts.
• Establish suitable inventory levels and ensure the timely procurement of laboratory resources.
• Ensure the proper labelling, storage, handling, use, and disposal of chemicals and analytical standards.
• Monitor test turnaround times and departmental performance.
• Ensure efficient use of laboratory equipment, materials, and financial resources.

10. Safety and Compliance

• Ensure strict compliance with laboratory health, safety, environmental, and waste-disposal requirements.
• Implement risk assessments and appropriate control measures for laboratory activities.
• Ensure staff use the required personal protective equipment.
• Promote a strong culture of safety, quality, impartiality, confidentiality, and professional ethics.

Required Qualifications

• Masters degree or PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, or another closely related discipline.
• A PhD and relevant scientific publications will be considered an advantage.
• Strong professional experience in an analytical, quality-control, research, industrial, or accredited testing laboratory.
• Demonstrated experience in a senior technical, supervisory, or laboratory-management position.
• Practical experience in implementing ISO/IEC 17025 requirements and supporting laboratory accreditation.
• Proven experience in analytical-method development, verification, and validation.
• Experience in establishing, developing, or expanding laboratory facilities will be highly preferred.
• Previous experience in food-safety and agricultural-product testing will be an important advantage.

Required Technical Competencies

Candidates should have strong practical knowledge and experience in several of the following areas:

• GC-MS and LC-MS/MS analysis
• HPLC analysis
• AAS analysis
• FTIR and UV-Visible spectroscopy
• Chromatographic and spectral interpretation
• Sample preparation and extraction techniques
• Quantitative and qualitative chemical analysis
• Analytical-method development and validation
• Measurement uncertainty and metrological traceability
• Certified reference materials and calibration standards
• Proficiency testing and interlaboratory comparisons
• Laboratory calibration and equipment qualification
• Internal audits, corrective actions, and accreditation assessments
• Laboratory quality control and data-integrity requirements
• Preparation of SOPs, validation protocols, technical reports, and Certificates of Analysis

Preferred Industry Experience

Relevant experience in one or more of the following sectors is desirable:

• Food and agricultural-product testing
• Pesticide-residue and contaminant analysis
• Pharmaceutical testing and quality control
• Environmental and water analysis
• Petrochemical or industrial chemical testing
• Mycotoxin and aflatoxin analysis
• Research and industrial laboratories

Computer and Software Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with laboratory information and instrument-control software.
• Familiarity with software such as MassHunter, LabSolutions, or equivalent analytical platforms.
• Knowledge of SAP or other enterprise resource-planning systems will be an advantage.
• Ability to manage, review, analyze, and securely maintain laboratory data.

Language and Communication Skills

• Strong technical-report writing and documentation skills.
• Ability to communicate complex analytical findings clearly to management, technical staff, customers, and production teams.
• Good command of written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of additional regional languages will be considered an advantage.

Personal Attributes

The preferred candidate should be:

• Detail-oriented, analytical, and strongly committed to quality.
• Accountable, disciplined, and capable of working in a regulated environment.
• An effective technical leader, mentor, and decision-maker.
• Skilled in troubleshooting and resolving complex laboratory problems.
• Adaptable and capable of working across different industries and testing disciplines.
• Committed to laboratory safety, professional ethics, impartiality, confidentiality, and continuous improvement.
• Willing and able to relocate to and work in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Compensation and Benefits

A competitive remuneration package will be offered based on the selected candidates qualifications, technical expertise, and professional experience. Detailed employment terms and benefits will be discussed during the recruitment process.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should submit the following:

• Updated CV/resume
• Cover letter explaining suitability for the position
• Copies of relevant academic qualifications and professional certificates
• List of analytical instruments personally operated
• Summary of experience with ISO/IEC 17025, method validation, and laboratory accreditation
• Details of at least two professional references

Applications should be emailed to [email removed] and put the following email addresses in cc:

[email removed]
[email removed]

with the subject line: KWGLS_HoCD_10_202608
Application for Head Chemist KWGLS

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for technical assessment and interview. KWGLS reserves the right to verify academic qualifications, professional experience, references, and technical competency before making a final appointment.