Quality Assurance Intern

Keep IT Cool, an innovative African startup revolutionizing the food supply chain, is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Quality Assurance Intern to join their dynamic team in Nairobi. This exciting opportunity offers hands-on experience in ensuring food safety and quality within the poultry industry, while contributing to the company’s mission of reducing post-harvest losses and improving market access for small-scale farmers.

About Keep IT Cool:

Keep IT Cool is at the forefront of transforming African agriculture and fisheries through its smart distribution platform, Markiti. By leveraging technology and innovative business models, the company connects farmers and fishermen directly with consumers, bypassing traditional middlemen. Their network of smart, decentralized cold chain solutions ensures product freshness and reduces waste, particularly benefiting underserved fish and chicken value chains.

Position Overview:

The Quality Assurance Intern will play a crucial role in maintaining the high standards of Keep IT Cool’s poultry products. This position offers a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in food quality control, biosecurity, and supply chain management within a fast-paced startup environment.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Quality Monitoring:

•    – Assist in monitoring the quality of fresh and frozen chicken and chicken parts
•    – Conduct regular inspections and assessments of poultry products
•    – Implement and maintain quality control procedures

2. Documentation and Record Keeping:

•    – Record and file all documents related to chicken production
•    – Maintain accurate records of farm visits, assessments, and production data
•    – Assist in organizing and updating organoleptic assessment records

3. Training and Compliance:

•    – Participate in training programs for farmers and casual workers
•    – Assist in the implementation of food safety and quality standards
•    – Support the company’s efforts in obtaining and maintaining relevant certifications

4. Flock Monitoring and Biosecurity:

•    – Work closely with farmers throughout the production cycle
•    – Assist in disease control measures and biosecurity protocols
•    – Conduct regular farm visits to ensure adherence to best practices

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

•    – Coordinate with the fish processing team as needed
•    – Support the sales team in addressing product returns and quality-related inquiries
•    – Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across departments

6. Reporting and Analysis:

•    – Prepare regular reports on quality metrics and trends
•    – Analyze data to identify areas for improvement in the production process
•    – Present findings and recommendations to the Quality Assurance team

Qualifications and Skills:

• – Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree or diploma in Food Science, Animal Health, Veterinary Medicine, or a related field
• – Indexed or registered by the respective professional board of their career
• – Strong analytical skills and meticulous attention to detail
• – Excellent communication abilities, both written and verbal
• – Team-oriented with the ability to work collaboratively across departments
• – Basic understanding of food safety principles and quality management systems
• – Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel
• – Willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and processes
• – Physical ability to perform inspections and assessments in various environments
• – Kenyan citizenship or legal right to work in Kenya

Why Join Keep IT Cool?

By joining Keep IT Cool as a Quality Assurance Intern, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• – Gain hands-on experience in food quality assurance within an innovative startup
• – Contribute to improving food security and reducing waste in Africa
• – Work with cutting-edge technology in supply chain management
• – Develop a deep understanding of the poultry industry and its challenges
• – Be part of a team that’s making a real difference in the lives of small-scale farmers and fishermen

Learning and Growth Opportunities:

• – Exposure to various aspects of food production and distribution
• – Mentorship from experienced professionals in quality assurance and food science
• – Potential for future employment opportunities within the company
• – Development of critical skills in project management and data analysis
• – Networking opportunities within the AgriTech and FoodTech sectors

Impact of Your Role:

As a Quality Assurance Intern at Keep IT Cool, your work will directly contribute to:

• – Ensuring the safety and quality of food products for consumers
• – Improving the livelihoods of small-scale farmers through better market access
• – Reducing food waste and post-harvest losses in the supply chain
• – Promoting sustainable and efficient agricultural practices

To apply for this internship opportunity, please submit your resume, a cover letter detailing your interest in food quality assurance and AgriTech, and any relevant academic transcripts or certifications. Keep IT Cool values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members.

Join Keep IT Cool and be part of the solution to Africa’s food security challenges while kickstarting your career in food quality assurance and technology-driven agriculture!