About Degas
Degas' mission is "Changing people’s lives, dramatically." We are an innovative AI technology company focused on developing scalable, AI-driven global products that address the world’s greatest challenges. Alongside our most advanced tech products, we also have dedicated operations that increase the income of smallholder farmers in Africa and beyond, leveraging our expertise in data aggregation, AI credit scoring, satellite observations, financing, and carbon markets. This dual approach enables us to make a global impact while delivering tangible benefits to developing countries.
About the Role:
The Quality Assurance (QA) / Quality Management (QM) Manager at Degas is responsible for overseeing and implementing quality assurance programs and quality management systems to ensure compliance with company standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations. This role is critical in maintaining the highest levels of food safety, product quality, and continuous improvement in our maize production and supply chain processes. Reporting to the Head of Operations, the QA/QM Manager will collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive a culture of quality and ensure that all maize products meet Degas’ stringent quality and sustainability standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, implement, and monitor quality assurance policies and procedures in alignment with Degas’ global standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., Ghana FDA, HACCP, ISO, FSSC 22000, and GMP).
- Ensure all maize products meet quality and food safety standards before dispatch.
- Conduct internal audits and coordinate external audits (certification audits, customer audits, regulatory audits).
- Review processes surrounding product recalls, investigations, and corrective/preventive actions.
- Establish and maintain control measures to monitor product quality from raw materials through to finished goods.
- Analyze trends and quality data to identify areas for improvement.
- Continuously assess and identify strategic opportunities to enhance warehouse operations, drive efficiency, and support long-term organizational goals.
- Oversee operations, ensuring that all testing procedures (chemical, microbiological, and sensory) meet industry and regulatory standards.
- Investigate product quality deviations and take corrective actions where necessary.
- Address customer complaints related to product quality, investigate root causes, and implement corrective actions.
- Collaborate with the sales teams to ensure customer quality expectations are met.
- Lead, mentor, and develop the Quality Assurance and Warehouse team to build a high-performance culture.
- Conduct training sessions for employees on food safety, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Foster a quality-conscious culture within the organization by promoting awareness and best practices.
- Maintain proper documentation of quality records, audit reports, test results, and compliance reports.
- Prepare and present quality performance reports to senior management and regional quality teams.
You Could Be a Great Fit for This Role If You Have
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Quality Management, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related field. A Master’s degree is an advantage.
- Experience: Minimum of 7+ years of experience in Quality Assurance and Quality Management within the food or maize industry.
- Certifications: HACCP, FSSC 22000, ISO 9001, GMP, and/or other relevant quality certifications.
- Technical Skills:
- Strong knowledge of food safety and quality management systems.
- Experience with root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action planning.
- Understanding of maize processing and production quality standards.
- Soft Skills:
- Strong leadership and team management abilities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Detail-oriented and highly organized.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple priorities.
Key Requirement
Possession of HACCP and FSSC 22000 certifications is required. Additional certifications such as ISO 9001, GMP, or other relevant quality and food safety credentials are considered a strong asset.
Encouragement to Apply
If some of the qualifications mentioned above don't align perfectly with your experience, we still want to hear from you! We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single qualification listed.
Location
This role is based in Accra, Ghana, with regular travel required to Degas' regional offices and field locations in Northern Ghana, and partner sites.
Compensation
- Competitive salary, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
- Comprehensive benefits package.
- Opportunities for professional growth and career development.
- A flexible, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.
How we’re Different
- Degas is committed to the mission of 'Changing people’s lives, dramatically' as an impact-oriented, for-profit startup. Degas has achieved 2x year-over-year revenue growth for the past three years and has established a profitable farmer financing business. In 2023 alone, we doubled the incomes of over 26,000 smallholder farmers in Africa, as verified by a third-party assessment.
- We leverage both advanced and 'primitive' technologies, from GPUs for state-of-the-art foundation models to offline-enabled mobile apps for data aggregation in rural areas of developing countries.
- We prioritise long-term thinking, investing in technology, operations, and people to change the world in ways no one has ever done before.
Support
If you have a condition or require an adjustment to our interview process - please let us know so we can make adjustments to support you. Degas is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status, or any other category protected by law.
Join us, and let's change the world together!