Research and Product Development Manager.

Orion East Africa Ltd is a manufacturing company specializing in plant health products for both local and export markets.

The company has been operational in Kenya for more than 22 years and has now expanded into Environmental Management and Input Financing.

Orion East Africa is looking for a hands - on and motivated team player to take up the position of a Research and Product Development Manager.

The role holder will drive Research and Product Development Excellence to ensure a continuous high quality supply of New and existing Products.

He/she will build products from existing ideas, and help to develop new ideas based on industry experience and contact with customers and prospects.

The incumbent must possess a unique blend of business and technical savvy; a big-picture vision, and the drive to make that vision a reality. He/She must enjoy spending time in the market to understand their problems, and find innovative solutions for the broader market.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing the entire product line life cycle
• Specifying market requirements for current and future products by conducting market research supported by on-going visits to customers and non-customers.
  
• Establish a profound understanding of the science of products and process.
• Research and Develop appropriate Qualitative and Quantitative Formula (QQF) for Product in Question.

Other Responsibilities

• Develop new Biological plant health products
• Oversee Laboratory operations including safety standards maintenance, SOPs
• Develop extractions, purification and standardization methods for active compounds
• Formulate chemistry, powders, liquids and reverse engineering competitor products
• Develop and oversee Q/A and standardization protocols

Requirements

• Capable product chemist (Msc. Level)
• Strong analytical skills (Chemistry, Pharmacology and Plant Science)
• Ability to handle Rotary Evaporators, Super critical Co2, Chromatography, Spectroscopy and Spectrophotometry
• At least 2 years hands on experience with GC-MS, AAS and HPLC
• An Effective Communicator, Team Player & Motivator
• One with a mature and realistic approach towards job related assignments
• Ability to lead a team

If you meet the above requirements, please send your application and detailed CV including current contacts of three referees to:

Director Human Resource & Administration
Orion East Africa Ltd
P.O. Box 10170 – 00100
Nairobi, Kenya

Email:orion@orioneastafrica.co.ke

Application Closing Date: 22nd August 2011

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.