Quality Analyst

Job Description – Quality Control (QC) Manager / QC Executive – Distillery (ENA, CO₂ & Ethanol Production)
Location: Uganda
Department: Quality Control / QA
Industry: Distillery / Alcohol Production
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Quality Control (QC) professional to lead the quality testing, process monitoring, and compliance activities within our distillery operations producing Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA), CO₂, and Ethanol. The ideal candidate must have a strong technical background in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Industrial Biotechnology, with hands-on experience in distillery lab operations and fermentation/rectification processes. The QC Manager will ensure that all products meet stringent quality, purity, and safety standards in line with industry and regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily QC laboratory activities, including sampling, testing, and analysis of molasses/grain, wash, fermented mash, ENA, Ethanol, and CO₂.
• Conduct essential tests such as GC analysis, alcohol strength (%v/v), pH, turbidity, fusel oil content, aldehydes, esters, methanol levels, and CO₂ purity.
• Ensure calibration, maintenance, and validation of lab instruments including GC, HPLC, UV–Vis, distillation apparatus, and COA preparation tools.
• Monitor fermentation, distillation, and rectification parameters to ensure consistent product purity and yield.
• Identify deviations in process parameters and coordinate timely corrective actions with the production team.
• Maintain stringent in-process control for ENA, Ethanol, and CO₂ generation to meet product specifications.
• Implement and maintain ISO standards, GMP practices, SOPs, and internal quality protocols specific to alcohol production.
• Conduct root cause analysis (RCA) for process deviations and implement preventive and corrective actions (CAPA).
• Evaluate and approve raw materials such as molasses/grains, chemicals, yeast, enzymes, and packaging materials.
• Conduct supplier audits to ensure adherence to quality standards and consistency in raw material supply.
• Ensure compliance with industry laws and standards related to alcohol production:
• Food Safety, EHS norms, NEMA (Uganda) regulations, and standards applicable to ENA, Ethanol, and CO₂.
• Maintain proper documentation, sampling records, and batch traceability as required by regulatory agencies.
• Lead the QC team, assign tasks, monitor performance, and ensure adherence to lab discipline and safety.
• Guide junior chemists, analysts, and lab technicians in analytical methods and distillery QC best practices.
• Develop and provide training to production and QC staff on:
• Alcohol quality standards
• Hygiene & GMP
• Analytical methods
• In-process quality checks
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and quality ownership.
• Establish KPIs such as:
• Batch quality deviation rate
• Lab turnaround time
• Yield vs. purity performance
• Compliance rate for ENA/Ethanol/CO₂ specs
• Prepare routine QC reports, certificate of analysis (COA), and present findings to management.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Chemistry, or related field.
• 5–15 years of experience in QC within a distillery producing ENA/Ethanol/CO₂ (preferred).
• Strong knowledge of analytical techniques (GC, HPLC, wet chemistry).
• Hands-on experience in fermentation, distillation, rectification, and CO₂ recovery processes.
• Understanding of ISO, HACCP, GMP, and safety standards in a distillery plant.