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Solvent Extraction Supervisor
Kaziweza Limited
Nakuru 🇰🇪 Kenya
Posted 15 days ago (21 Aug 2026) Updated 11 days ago
Job Description
The Solvent Extraction Supervisor oversees safe and efficient operation of the solvent extraction plant, ensuring production targets, oil recovery and quality standards are met. Responsibilities include supervising daily plant processes, monitoring critical parameters, leading shift teams and maintaining strict safety and environmental compliance. The role also drives continuous improvement initiatives and coordinates maintenance activities.
Qualifications & Requirements
- • Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Food Science, Oilseed Technology, Process Technology or a related technical discipline.
- • 5–8 years of relevant experience in solvent extraction, vegetable oil manufacturing or edible oil production.
- • Hands‑on experience with hexane‑based solvent extraction is mandatory.
- • Prior experience supervising operators or production teams in a process plant.
- • Willingness to work in shifts.
- • Demonstrated knowledge of oilseed preparation, extractor operations, solvent recovery, equipment maintenance and hazardous‑area safety.
Required Skills
Responsibilities
- • Supervise daily solvent extraction operations from preparation and flaking through extraction, de‑solventizing, solvent recovery and oil/meal handling.
- • Monitor critical process parameters such as temperature, pressure, flow, level and equipment performance.
- • Maintain stable plant operations to achieve production, oil recovery, solvent efficiency and quality targets.
- • Identify process abnormalities early, troubleshoot issues and take corrective action to minimise downtime.
- • Lead shift operators, allocate manpower and ensure effective handovers.
- • Ensure operators follow SOPs, safety instructions and approved operating parameters.
- • Train and guide operators on plant operations, safety and troubleshooting.
- • Enforce strict compliance with safety, PPE, Permit‑to‑Work and LOTO procedures, especially for hexane handling.
- • Coordinate with QA/QC to verify extracted oil and meal meet quality specifications.
- • Investigate process, quality and safety deviations and implement corrective actions.
- • Monitor equipment condition, coordinate maintenance activities and support shutdowns.
- • Maintain accurate production, process, safety and quality records and prepare shift reports.