Quality Assurance Engineer
Resume:
FRANKLIN MUFARO CHIPENDO
Address: Plot *****A, Tati River Plots, Francistown. Botswana Phone: +267********
Email: ****************@*****.*** Nationality: Zimbabwe
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/franklin-m-chipendo
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Strategic Quality Assurance Professional and Analytical Chemist with 14yrs experience in Conformity Assessment (testing, inspection and certification in ISO accredited environments) and Training. Proven track record in the development, implementation, auditing and maintenance of Accredited Quality Management Systems, with competences and/or knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 19011, ISO 17011, ISO 17020, ISO 17025, ISO 17065 and ISO 45001. Skilled in mentoring teams, optimizing lead times, and implementing process improvements that enhance productivity and client satisfaction. Eager to leverage extensive technical and managerial expertise to drive excellence.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
MBA in Leadership and Management (2020) (NUST Zimbabwe)
BSc in Applied Chemistry (2011) (NUST Zimbabwe)
PERSONALITY
Ambivert, adaptable, flexible and willing to learn
KEY EQUIPMENT COMPETENCES
ICP-OES, AAS, PHOTOMETERS
STRATEGIC SKILLS
Robust administrative skills leveraged on optimal use of available ITC & Artificial Intelligence
Strong Team Player
Goal Oriented
CORE COMPETENCIES
Knowledge of Key Management Systems – ISO 9001, ISO 17011, ISO 17020, ISO 17025, ISO 45001
ISO 9001 Lead Auditor with SAATCA Accredited Course
Expert in Quality Assurance and Control
Proficient in Process Streamlining and Optimization
Team Leadership
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
4 years laboratory testing + 5 years lab quality management + 5 years administrative management = 14 years
LABORATORY MANAGER
Reporting to the Managing Director
Betach Pty Ltd – Botswana Jan 2023 – Present
Management of multi-disciplinary ISO 17025 operations across Chemistry, Microbiology, Tribology, Soil Air Emissions Environmental Testing and Engineering Services (Vibration Assessment, Laser Alignment, Dynamic Fan Balancing and Material Thickness Testing (Non-Destructive Tests).
ACHIEVEMENTS:
-Grew sales from P6 million annually to P8 million in under 2 years in chemistry services
-Introduced new testing services (food analysis, industrial chemistry, consignment quality control)
-Reduced lead times by 30%
RESPONSIBILITIES:
oOperations & Turnaround Optimization: Directly manage daily laboratory technical functions—covering chemistry, microbiology, tribology, and engineering services—ensuring that client turnaround times exceed industry standards.
oQuality and Compliance Leadership: Spearheaded ISO17025 accreditation for transformer oil analysis within five months, and also Agricultural Soil Testing positioning Betach as a local pioneer and one of a select few accredited organizations in the SADC region for those scopes.
oTeam Management & Mentorship: Oversee laboratory personnel across multiple scopes, developing work schedules, training staff on SOPs and OSH procedures, and conducting pre- and post-activity checks to maintain compliance with internal and external standards.
INSPECTIONS MANAGER
Reporting to the Director - Technical Services
Standards Association of Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe Jul 2020 – Dec 2022
Management of Consignment Based Conformity Assessment Inspections for the Government of Zimbabwe for controlled commodities at Ports of Entry. The 156 Controlled Products under the General Import/Export License ranged from Motor Vehicles, Equipment and Spares, Food, Clothes, Fuels, Fertilizers, Electronics, Toys, Cosmetics etc.
ACHIEVEMENTS:
-Operationalised the first Consignment Based Conformity Assessment – Destination Inspection services in Zimbabwe
-Generated revenue of US$180 000 in the first 6 months of operation
-Achieved lead times 60% more than international best practice (48hr lead-time vs 120hr expected)
RESPONSIBILITIES:
oDepartment Development: Established and scaled the CBCA Inspections department from inception to full operational capability at major commercial ports, ensuring consistency in quality and regulatory compliance.
oStrategic & Operational Management: Crafted divisional strategies and implemented business growth initiatives, with a strong focus on system automation and customer relationship excellence.
oContinuous Improvement Initiatives: Implemented systems automation (over 80%) and process enhancements that reduced lead times by 48% from initiation to certificate issuance, reflecting a strong focus on productivity and cost control.
oAudit and Compliance: Ensured all inspection activities met ISO 17020 standards, with comprehensive oversight of operational risks and adherence to legislative requirements.
QUALITY ASSURANCE OFFICER
Reporting to the Director - Technical Services
Standards Association of Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe Apr 2015 – Jun 2020
ISO 17025 Quality Management and Management Representative for the National Standards Bureau. This covered 3 Multisite Laboratories with accreditation scopes covering Water, Fuel and Foods Chemistry.
ACHIEVEMENTS:
-Attained Aflatoxin Determination Accreditation pioneering that scope in Zimbabwe.
-Maintained Accreditation without suspension or need for additional expenditure on follow-up audits.
-One of the founding members of the Zimbabwe Chemical Society Professional Body and Inaugural Deputy Secretary 2018 - 2021.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
oLaboratory Accreditation: Managed ISO17025 accreditation processes for three laboratories
oManagement Review: Prepared and presented the management review session chaired by the Director General.
oManagement / Nominated Representative: Managed communication between SAZ and Accrediting Body, SADCAS with respect to accreditation.
oContinual Improvement: Utilized root cause analysis (RCA) and CAPA strategies to manage quality issues, ensuring all testing processes met or exceeded quality benchmarks.
SENIOR TECHNICAL OFFICER / CHEMIST
Reporting to the Manager - Chemical and Foods Technology
Standards Association of Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe Nov 2011 – Mar 2015
Supervision of Analytical Chemistry Testing, with scope covering Water, Industrial Chemicals, Stock Feeds, Fertilisers, Textile, Paints, Petroleum Products, Pharmaceuticals, and Geochemical.
ACHIEVEMENTS:
-Attained ISO 17025 Accreditation for Water Chemistry as the first Technical Signatory for the National Standards Bureau within 1 year.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
oTechnical Leadership: Supervised the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, developed and validated testing methods for water and petroleum products, and introduced advanced software (Minitab®) to accelerate method validation.
oQuality Assurance: Led efforts to achieve ISO17025 accreditation for water testing, consistently attaining 100% proficiency in quality benchmarks and upholding the highest standards of laboratory integrity.
CERTIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
oISO/IEC 17011:2017 Main changes and IAF MD20:2016 Accreditation Assessor Competence (2025)
oWater-Food-Energy Nexus Masterclass (2025)
oRenewable Energy Power Generation and Network Access Technology Course (2023)
oTrain the Trainer Course (2021)
oISO 17020:2012 Requirements for Inspection Bodies Course (2020)
oISO 45001:2018 OHS Development and Implementation Course (2019)
oISO 17025:2017 Requirements for Testing/Calibration Laboratories Transition Course (2018)
oISO 9001:2015 QMS Lead Auditor Course (SAATCA Accredited) (2017)
oISO 9001:2015 QMS Internal Auditing Course (2017)
oInternational Training Workshop on Rainwater Harvesting (2016)
oAnalytical Method Validation Course (2014)
oStandards Development Training (2014)
oISO 17025:2005 Internal Auditing for Testing/Calibration Laboratories Course (2012)
oQuality Assurance in Analytical Chemistry (2012)
oEstimation of Measurement Uncertainty in Analytical Measurement (2012)
oCustomer Service (2012)
oQuality Assurance 1 & 2 (2010)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
oKey Software & Tools: Proficient in MS Office, Minitab®, and laboratory information management systems (LIMS).
oInterests: Football, chess
REFERENCES
Available on request.
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