Benson Kyalo Kitela

Quality Assurance & Food Safety Manager

About Candidate

Location

Education

B
BSC: Food Science & Technology 2008
Egerton University

Graduated with Second Class Honours (Upper Division). Coursework covered food chemistry, microbiology, quality control, food processing and preservation technology, and regulatory standards — providing the technical foundation for a 14+ year career in quality assurance and food safety across FMCG and food-manufacturing environments.

Work & Experience

R
R&D – Innovations & Technical Services Engineer 2022 - Present
Mars Wrigley

Led end-to-end R&D, process development and commercialisation for Sugar Free Gum lines, partnering with QA, Production, Engineering and Supply Chain. Led end-to-end Datalyzer/SPC implementation on the new Sugar Free line, strengthening process monitoring, trend analysis and data-driven quality control. Developed and implemented quality systems aligned to FSSC 22000, HACCP, GMP and regulatory requirements. Delivered 99.7% Right-First-Time performance, improved TRS/OEE to 91% against an 88% target, generated US$161K+ in cost savings, mitigated US$320K+ in quality and operational risk, and launched product/packaging innovations exceeding US$20M in Year-1 net sales.

Q
Quality Assurance Manager 2018 - 2022
Neema Livestock & Slaughtering Investment Ltd

▸ Managed quality systems and product quality for meat and value-added products, ensuring food safety and regulatory compliance. ▸ Led QA activities covering HACCP, KEBS compliance, quality monitoring, non-conformances and corrective actions. ▸ Supported product innovation, packaging development and process improvement with cross-functional teams. ▸ Provided technical guidance and strengthened quality and food-safety culture across operations.

S
Systems Compliance & Improvements Manager 2016 - 2018
General Printers Limited

▸ Led process improvement and quality-system implementation, strengthening compliance and operational controls. ▸ Managed improvement initiatives and supported new product development and regulatory compliance.

Q
Quality Assurance Specialist – GTM 2014 - 2016
Unilever Kenya Limityed

▸ Supported product and packaging development, quality control, regulatory compliance and quality assurance activities.

Q
Quality Assurance Executive 2011 - 2014
Pwani Oil Products Limited

▸ Managed quality assurance systems for edible oils and fats, ensuring product safety, quality and compliance. ▸ Conducted physicochemical and microbiological analysis of raw materials, in-process and finished products. ▸ Supported new product development, supplier quality and regulatory audits.

S
Senior Laboratory Technologist 2008 - 2011
Prolab Limited

▸ Conducted product testing and shelf-life studies and supported product development and laboratory quality activities.