Duncan Makuba

I am an experienced and self-motivated Quality Assurance professional with over 8 years’ experience of working in the food/feed manufacturing & detergents industries. I am skilled in quality control, GMP, HACCP, Continuous improvement and integrated management systems (ISO 22000, 9001& 14001). I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Biotechnology from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology and a Certification in Quality Management from Kenya Institute of Management. I am a reliable professional with a high regard for customer focus. My goal is to secure a position within a challenging and rewarding environment that supports diversity and strives towards business and personal growth while also enabling me to contribute effectively to the success of the organization.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Quality Assurance Assistant

TUNGA NUTRITION/ Unga Farm Care EA (April 2023–Present)

Duties and Responsibilities

• Implementing Food Safety System guidelines (ISO 22000:2018) and procedures to ensure feed quality throughout the entire production process, including the establishment of SOPs for best practices.
• Analyzing and approving/rejecting raw materials (MASH), intermediate feed products, and finished goods based on their specifications using the NIR and checking of physical parameters.
• Analyzing and approving/rejecting packaging materials.
• Developing, recommending and monitoring corrective and preventive actions on any non-conforming products within the production chain.
• Preparing reports to communicate outcomes of quality activities.
• Ensuring a safe, clean and efficient operation of the plant, compliant with ISO regulations.
• Leading and maintaining GMP and HACCP systems, PRP and OPRPs to ensure food safety in accordance with ISO requirements.
• Participating in internal audits.
• Training of personnel on food safety
• Processing finished goods results in SAP system, and preparation of certificate of analysis for finished goods before sale.

Quality Analyst

VIVEK LTD-chemical division (March 2020–May 2022)

Duties and Responsibilities

• In-process analysis of hand sanitizers, hand wash, all-purpose washing liquids, dish washingpaste, air fresheners, scouring powder, surgicalspirits, bleaches, dish washing liquids, antiseptic disinfectants, toilet cleaners and surface cleaners for different parameters including; pH, Color, Appearance, Active matter, % Acidity, Free Alkali, Bulk Density, SpecificGravity, Lather Volume,alcohol content, availablechlorine etc.
• Analyzed raw materials and pack materials for differentquality parameters to ensure they are within the set specifications.
• Conducted qualitycontrol online checksduring production at intervals of 45 minutes ensuring that quality was maintained during batch makingand filling processes.
• Prepared and Standardized reagentsand pH buffers.
• Performed daily calibration of pH meter andwater meters in the production area.
• Carried out research and new productdevelopment together with the quality assurance manager.
• Maintained GMP within the plant and the dispatch area.
• Always ensured that all the finished goods were affixed   withstatus stickers.
• Generation of batch numbersfor the production team.
• Prepared product certificate of analysis for finished goods before sale.

Quality Assurance Inspector

BIDCO AFRICALIMITED (February 2018 – February 2020)

Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitored hygienestandards at the finished products handling areas of packaging and warehousing as per ISO 22000 standards.
• Inspected, analyzed and accepted/rejected packaging material against established Bidco Africa Limited specifications.
• Checked the quality status of finished products at the warehouse before dispatch and liaised with the production supervisor/online quality analyst for any non-conforming products and quality related issues.
• Monitored productquality related customercomplaints on a continuing basisand reported on rootcauses and corrective action implementation progressstatus to management.
• Analyzed market returns and internal damages in warehouse for any quality-related issues, performed root cause   analysis on the same, determined and provided necessary corrective action.
• Processed market returns in Microsoft Excel and SAP entries to storage locations, for re-work or finished goods and prepared summary market returns reports (Daily, weekly and monthly) for themanagement staff.
• Analyzed different parameters of edible oils, margarine, fats, soap, hand sanitizers, dish washing gels, scouring powder and hand wash to ensure that they are of the quality standards as expected by the customer and occasionally stood in for the laboratory analysts in  any of the three labs (refinery lad, packing lab, soap lab and the detergent/NPD lab) when required.
• Complied with safety, healthand environmental policiesof the Organization so as to ensure there was a safe environment for self andcolleagues.

Assistant Chemist 

MUMIAS SUGAR LTD (May 2014-January 2018)

 Dutiesand Responsibilities

• Analyzed finished goods (sugar) and raw materials (cane/bagasse) using standardoperating procedures and methods to ensure conformance with set specifications.
• Carried out preparation of samples and reagents as defined in the approvedanalytical procedure.
• Ensured timelyentry and validation of test resultsentry in to the Laboratory Information Management System.
• Maintained integrityand confidentiality of testing records(e.g. protocols, equipmentsetups and monitoring, and experimental results).
• Ensured proper use and management of laboratory equipment during analytical process by analysts (routinemaintenance, reporting of fault and request for calibration).
• Monitored chemicals, reagents and other materials re-order levels and initiated requisitions of the same.
• Trained new staff and students on attachment.
• Implemented Good Laboratory Practices and ensuredgood housekeeping.
• Covered at stations for laboratory analysts when they are absent or engaged elsewhere.

Laboratory Analyst 

MUMIAS SUGAR LTD (July 2013 – April 2014)

Dutiesand Responsibilities

• Monitored juice extraction and treatment processes, pan boiling processesthrough timely sampling and analysis of various parameters; Hydrogen ion concentration (pH), Brix, Pol (Sucrose Concentration) and sugar purity to ensure that they are within specifications while communicating any non-conforming results on time.
• Analyzed boiler feed water, boiler water, condensates, waterTreatment Plant water, Cogen plant water to test for silicates, pH, Chlorine, Phosphates, TDS, Water hardness and alkalinities to ensure they are within set specifications thus helping monitor boiler operations and the water treatment plant. Also reported to boiler operations team on time when non-conformities are noted.
• Analyzed SprayPond water for pH and sugar traces, BOD and COD.
• Ensured raw materials and finished goods storage conditions conform to good manufacturing practices(GMP) standards.
• Prepared, standardized reagents and chemicalsand performed calibration/diagnostic testing of instruments e.g. spectrophotometer, refractometer, PH Meter etc.
• Timely input of shift results both in Excel data sheets and Laboratory Information Management System for generation of daily production reports.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Certification in Quality Management - Kenya institute of Management (Feb–April, 2017)
• Bachelor of science Biotechnology – Masinde MuliroUniversity (2009-2013)
• Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education – Musingu High school(2004-2007)
• Kenya Certificate of Primary Education– Isanjiro Primary School(1995-2003)