INSPECTION LEAD

Job Description/RequirementsPosition Title: INSPECTION LEAD Reports to: Managing Director /Advisor Location: Mombasa, Kenya Employment Type: Full-time Position OverviewZonal Laboratory Limited is seeking an experienced Inspection Lead to establish and oversee its inspection operations. The company’s accreditation scope includes Agricultural Commodities, General Cargo, and Petroleum & Petroleum Products Inspection Services at the Port of Mombasa and various client sites. In addition, Zonal Laboratory Limited is designated by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to undertake Air Quality Analysis (Stack Emission and Ambient Air) and Noise Level Measurements, providing a wider service portfolio in environmental testing and compliance monitoring.

This is a hands-on leadership role ideal for a professional with deep experience in cargo and petroleum inspections, compliance with Kenyan regulatory requirements, and familiarity with international standards. The successful candidate will spearhead the development, implementation, and management of inspection activities to ensure full compliance with KENAS accreditation, ISO/IEC 17020: 2012 standards, and relevant NEMA requirements. Key ResponsibilitiesInspection Operations  Plan, coordinate, and perform inspections for agricultural commodities, general cargo, and petroleum products in compliance with KENAS Type A Inspection Body standards.  Supervise weighing, tallying, sampling, and physical verification during inspection processes.

 Conduct ship-side and shore-side inspections, discharge measurements, and bunker tracking for petroleum cargo.  Develop inspection protocols aligned with international and industry standards (e. g. , FOSFA, GAFTA Rules 122/124, ISO 24333, API Chapter 17, ASTM D4057-12).  Prepare detailed inspection reports with accurate findings, recommendations, and corrective actions.  Maintain up-to-date inspection documentation and ensure conformity with ISO/IEC 17020: 2012. Quality Assurance & Compliance  Ensure all inspection activities strictly adhere to KENAS and relevant Kenyan regulations.  Monitor and review quality management systems for compliance with ISO/IEC 17020.  Coordinate internal risk assessments and implement appropriate controls.  Update inspection procedures to meet evolving compliance standards.

 Coordinate with KENAS during surveillance audits and ensure timely compliance with all accreditation obligations, including fee payments.  Oversee the correct usage of the KENAS accreditation symbol in line with PL-54-01 policy. Business Development in Licensed Environmental Testing  Lead business growth for Zonal Laboratory’s licensed environmental testing services, specifically Air Quality Analysis (Stack Emission and Ambient Air) and Noise Level Measurements, as per the laboratory’s designation by NEMA.  Proactively identify, engage, and secure clients requiring these services, including industries, construction projects, and environmental consultancies.

 Collaborate with the sales and technical teams to develop proposals, quotations, and service packages tailored to client needs while ensuring compliance with ISO 17025 standards and NEMA terms and conditions.  Maintain updated knowledge of regulatory requirements under EMCA 1999 and ensure all service delivery meets statutory and quality standards.  Represent Zonal Laboratory at industry events, stakeholder meetings, and regulatory forums to strengthen brand visibility and market share in the environmental testing sector. Team Leadership & Development  Lead and mentor future inspection staff as the department grows.  Provide training on inspection protocols, tools, and regulatory standards.

 Collaborate across departments to ensure smooth operational integration.  Foster a quality-driven culture focused on accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement. Strategic Planning  Develop annual inspection plans and departmental KPIs.  Contribute to company-wide compliance and quality strategies.  Recommend innovations to improve inspection workflows and systems. Stakeholder Management  Present inspection outcomes and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.  Collaborate with clients, regulators, and department heads to implement corrective actions.  Serve as the key liaison with KENAS and other government or industry bodies.  Provide expert-level guidance on inspection and compliance matters.

Required QualificationsEducation & Certifications  Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or a related field.  Professional Certifications PreferredCertified Quality Inspector (CQI)ISO/IEC 17020 Lead Assessor certificationFOSFA/GAFTA inspection certificationsAPI inspection certificationsPort operations and cargo handling certification Additional training recognized by KENAS is a strong advantage.  Strong working knowledge of Kenyan Standards (KS) and inspection-related laws (e. g. , Kenya Accreditation Service Act, 2019).  Valid Certificate of Good Conduct (must be current). Experience Minimum 5 years of inspection experience in cargo, petroleum products, or agricultural commodities.  Hands-on experience in ship-side/shore-side inspections, weighing supervision, sampling, and port operations.

 Proven familiarity with FOSFA, GAFTA, API, and ASTM standards.  Prior Experience Establishing Inspection Processes Or Departments Preferred.  Experience working at the Port of Mombasa or comparable port environments is an asset.  Regional knowledge and proven sales track record in similar inspection or environmental analysis services, including customer relationship management, driving business growth, and leadership in sales teams.  Strong communication skills with the ability to build rapport with clients and stakeholders.  Active field experience within the last 6 months prior to application (must not have been out of field work beyond 6 months).

Technical Skills Technical Skills & Industry Knowledge In-depth knowledge of ISO/IEC 17020:

2012 standards for Type A Inspection Bodies (training & certification are mandatory) Formal training in Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Management Practical experience in marine surveying or cargo superintending Familiarity with KENAS, NABCB, and other accreditation procedures Expertise in petroleum products inspection, including sampling, specification standards, quantity determination, and testing methods Hands-on experience with bunker fuel inspection and fuel quality standards Knowledge of agricultural commodities inspection, grading, and quality standards, including relevant trading practices Strong Understanding Of Inspection Procedures, IncludingSamplingPre-shipment inspectionFactory auditsSurveillance audits Familiarity with equipment calibration and product testing standards Working knowledge of cargo inspection methodologies:

weighing systems, sampling tools, measurement instruments Familiarity with the following international standards:

FOSFA, GAFTA Rules 122 & 124ISO 24333 (Grain sampling)API Chapter 17 (Petroleum cargo inspection)ASTM D4057-12 (Manual sampling of petroleum) Working knowledge of port operations, ship cargo handling, and marine logistics Understanding of Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) procedures and the Kenya Accreditation Service Act, 2019 Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and industry-specific inspection softwareCore Competencies  Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities High attention to detail and accuracy Clear and professional written and verbal communication Strong organizational and time management skills Excellent leadership and team supervision skills — especially for field-based inspection teams Experience in delegation and managing team productivity Ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders, regulators, and accreditation bodies Proficient in preparing technical documentation and inspection reports compliant with ISO/IEC 17020 Resilient under pressure; able to meet tight deadlines Adaptable to changing regulatory requirements, standards, and operational environmentsPERFORMANCE METRICS  Timeliness and accuracy of inspection reporting Stakeholder satisfaction and issue resolution Compliance with ISO/IEC 17020 and KENAS audits Implementation of process improvements Training effectiveness and team developmentCompensation & Benefits Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experienceAPPLICATION PROCESS Interested applicants should submit the following to hr@zonal-lab.

com by 15th August 2025:  A detailed CV highlighting inspection-related experience A cover letter outlining suitability for the role Copies Of Relevant Qualifications And Certifications At least two references from previous inspection/QA roles