Almarai — the world’s largest vertically integrated dairy and the MENA region’s #1 ranked FMCG brand — is hiring a Team Manager for Quality based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This full-time leadership role oversees microbiological testing, media preparation, results reporting, lab equipment calibration, and lab consumables management across raw materials, finished products, water, and environmental samples — within one of the most advanced and largest dairy production operations on the planet.
About Almarai — The World’s Largest Dairy Company
Headquarters: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — with major operations across the GCC including Abu Dhabi, UAE
Scale: Largest vertically integrated dairy in the world and largest food & beverage manufacturer in the MENA region
Market Position: #1 FMCG Brand in the MENA region — market leader in all its categories across the GCC
2024 Performance: Net income of SAR 2.31 Billion on sales of SAR 20.97 Billion — a financially strong and growing global enterprise
Growth Strategy: Aggressive expansion programme and acquisitions in new vertical markets — creating exciting opportunities across all functions
Why This Team Manager Quality Role in Abu Dhabi is a Career-Defining Opportunity
World-Class Employer: Join the planet’s most recognized dairy brand and MENA’s #1 FMCG company at its UAE operations hub
Technical Leadership: Lead a microbiology lab team within one of the most advanced automated dairy plant environments in the region
Competitive Package: Almarai offers competitive salary, generous leave, full medical coverage, discretionary bonus, and training & development
Career Growth: An aggressive expansion programme means genuine advancement opportunities within a 46,000-employee global organization
Position Overview
The Team Manager Quality at Almarai Abu Dhabi leads day-to-day microbiological laboratory operations within the dairy production facility. You will manage media preparation, oversee microbiological testing of raw materials, finished products, water, and environmental samples, ensure timely results reporting and appropriate escalations, oversee decontamination procedures, manage lab consumables stock levels, and maintain full calibration schedules for all laboratory equipment. This role requires both scientific expertise and genuine team leadership capability in a high-volume, high-precision dairy manufacturing environment.
Why This Role Matters: In a dairy operation serving 110,000 retail outlets with products consumed by millions of families across the GCC every day, microbiological quality control is not a routine function — it is a non-negotiable safeguard. As Team Manager Quality at Almarai Abu Dhabi, your lab’s results directly determine whether products are safe to release, whether environmental hygiene meets international standards, and whether Almarai’s reputation as the MENA region’s most trusted food and beverage brand remains unassailable every single day.
Key Responsibilities
Microbiological Testing & Lab Operations
- Prepare and manage microbiological media for all laboratory testing activities across raw materials, finished products, water, and environmental samples
- Oversee the full microbiological testing cycle — from sample receipt through to analysis, result interpretation, and release decision-making
- Conduct and supervise environmental monitoring programmes across the dairy production facility to safeguard food safety and hygiene compliance
- Ensure all testing methodologies comply with ISO 17025 laboratory management standard requirements and Almarai internal quality protocols
Results Reporting, Escalations & Documentation
- Prepare accurate, timely microbiological results reports for production, quality, and management teams with full documentation traceability
- Identify out-of-specification results and manage appropriate escalation procedures — ensuring prompt corrective actions are initiated and tracked
- Maintain comprehensive laboratory records, deviation logs, and corrective action documentation in line with ISO 17025 and internal audit requirements
- Contribute to problem investigations by providing microbiological data analysis and root cause identification support
Lab Equipment Calibration & Decontamination
- Plan and oversee the calibration schedule for all laboratory equipment, ensuring instruments are maintained, verified, and fit for purpose at all times
- Manage and supervise all laboratory decontamination procedures to maintain a safe, contamination-free microbiological testing environment
- Identify and escalate any equipment deficiencies, calibration failures, or maintenance requirements to prevent interruption of laboratory operations
Lab Consumables & Stock Management
- Manage laboratory consumables stocks — including culture media, reagents, PPE, and testing supplies — ensuring uninterrupted availability for daily testing operations
- Monitor stock levels proactively and coordinate timely procurement to prevent shortfalls in critical laboratory materials
Qualifications & Requirements
Educational Requirements
- BSc or MSc in Microbiology — a strong academic foundation in microbiological sciences is essential for this role
Experience Requirements
- Minimum 2 years of hands-on experience within a dairy plant or food factory environment in a quality, laboratory, or microbiological testing role
- Experience in an automated dairy plant environment is strongly preferred — familiarity with high-volume production quality systems is a key advantage
- Proven knowledge of problem investigation methodologies and corrective action management within a food manufacturing context
Technical Knowledge
- Working knowledge of ISO 17025 laboratory management standard — understanding of calibration, traceability, and laboratory competence requirements
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint for results reporting and laboratory documentation
- Strong foundation in microbiological testing techniques, environmental monitoring, and media preparation for dairy and food applications
Personal Attributes
- Good English communication skills — both written and verbal — for cross-functional reporting and team coordination
- Strong interpersonal skills with a punctual, disciplined, and team-oriented approach to daily laboratory operations
- Ability to work as a reliable, flexible team player in a fast-paced, high-precision dairy manufacturing environment
About Almarai — Building the Future of Food & Dairy in the GCC
Almarai is not just the world’s largest vertically integrated dairy — it is the backbone of everyday nutrition for millions of families across the GCC and MENA region. With SAR 20.97 Billion in 2024 sales, 46,000+ employees, and products in 110,000 retail outlets, Almarai’s scale, reach, and reputation are unmatched in the region. Its aggressive expansion strategy and ongoing investment in acquisitions and new vertical markets mean that joining Almarai today means joining a company that is actively and ambitiously building its next chapter.
Career Excellence: This is a great opportunity to join a successful, expanding global business that offers an excellent remuneration and benefits package — along with the professional prestige of working for the #1 FMCG brand in the MENA region at its Abu Dhabi operations.
Who Should Apply?
- Microbiology Graduates: With BSc or MSc in Microbiology and 2+ years of hands-on dairy or food factory laboratory experience in the UAE or GCC
- ISO 17025 Lab Professionals: With working knowledge of accredited laboratory management standards and microbiological testing in a food production setting
- Dairy Quality Specialists: With experience in automated dairy plant environments and a strong track record in microbiological QC and environmental monitoring
- Lab Team Leaders: Ready to step into a management role within the world’s largest dairy company’s Abu Dhabi operations
- Problem-Solving Microbiologists: Who combine technical laboratory expertise with leadership skills and a meticulous, disciplined approach to food safety quality
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