Food Technologist / Laboratory & Quality Control Manager

Khalid Asim Ketchup Production Company is an Afghan food manufacturing company based in Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh, Afghanistan, specializing in the production and packaging of tomato ketchup and related food products.

The company is officially registered and licensed by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Afghanistan and has been established with the objective of developing high-quality, hygienic, and locally manufactured food products for the Afghan market.

The company has invested in a modern ketchup production and packaging facility equipped with an industrial ketchup processing line, laboratory facilities, PET bottle production equipment, packaging machinery, and supporting utilities. The factory has been designed to support controlled production processes, product quality assurance, food safety, and efficient manufacturing operations.

Our flagship brand, Smile Test Ketchup (سمایل تست کیچپ), is being developed in different packaging sizes and product varieties to serve households, restaurants, retailers, wholesalers, and other customers across Afghanistan.

As the company moves toward full-scale commercial production, Khalid Asim Ketchup Production Company is building a professional team in the areas of production, laboratory and quality control, food technology, engineering and maintenance, finance, administration, sales, marketing, warehouse management, and logistics.

Our Vision

To become a trusted Afghan food manufacturing company recognized for quality, food safety, reliability, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

Our Mission

To produce safe and high-quality food products through modern manufacturing technology, effective quality-control systems, qualified personnel, and responsible business practices, while contributing to local production, employment creation, and the development of Afghanistan's food-processing industry.

The Food Technologist / Laboratory & Quality Control Manager will be responsible for managing and maintaining food quality, safety, and laboratory control systems throughout the production and packaging of tomato ketchup and other food products. The position will oversee raw material inspection, laboratory testing, production-process monitoring, finished-product quality, hygiene and sanitation standards, and compliance with applicable food safety and quality requirements.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Production, Procurement, and Management teams to ensure that all products consistently meet established quality, safety, taste, texture, packaging, and shelf-life standards. The position will also develop and maintain quality control procedures, laboratory records, product specifications, and quality documentation, while identifying and addressing quality issues and implementing corrective and preventive actions.

·       Bachelor’s degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, Microbiology, or a closely related field.

·       Minimum 2–3 years of relevant experience in food processing, food manufacturing, laboratory testing, quality control, or quality assurance; experience in tomato products, sauces, ketchup, or similar products is highly preferred.

·       Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene, sanitation, quality control, and laboratory procedures.

·       Practical knowledge of HACCP, GMP, and food safety management principles.

·       Ability to develop and implement quality control procedures, SOPs, checklists, and product specifications.

·       Experience in testing and evaluating raw materials, in-process products, packaging materials, and finished products.

·       Knowledge of physical, chemical, and microbiological testing relevant to food products.

·       Ability to monitor key product parameters such as pH, acidity, Brix, viscosity, color, consistency, taste, and shelf-life requirements.

·       Ability to identify quality problems, conduct root-cause analysis, and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

·       Strong understanding of personal hygiene, production hygiene, sanitation, and contamination-control practices.

·       Ability to maintain accurate laboratory, quality-control, inspection, and production records.

·       Good knowledge of food labeling, packaging, storage, and product traceability requirements.

·       Ability to establish and monitor quality standards for incoming raw materials and finished products.

·       Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

·       Ability to train and supervise laboratory and quality-control staff.

·       Good communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively with production and management teams.

·       Good computer skills, particularly Microsoft Word and Excel.

·       Ability to work in a factory/production environment and conduct regular inspections and quality checks.

·       Fluency in Dari and Pashto; good English communication skills will be an advantage.

·       Commitment to maintaining high standards of food safety, product quality, hygiene, and consumer protection.

Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit their updated CV/resume by email to:

Email: info@smiletasteketchup.com

Applicants are encouraged to clearly highlight their relevant education, professional experience, food safety and quality control expertise, laboratory experience, and relevant certifications in their CVs.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the recruitment process.