POSITION: Quality Technologist
LOCATION: Germiston
REPORTING TO: Manager: QA Abattoirs, Salami and Environmental

Job Purpose
Develop, implement, oversee, verify and continually review and update the Food Safety and
Quality Management System at the company’s Salami Plant, including risk assessments (HACCP, TACCP, VACCP),
GMPs, raw material control, manufacturing processes, product trials, route-cause investigations, and audit- and customer liaison.
 
Output:
Salami Plant Quality Assurance System

• Develop, Update, Implement and Verify the documentation forming part of the company’s Food Safety and Quality Management System, including:
• Legal requirements.
• FSSC, HACCP, VACCP, TACCP.
• Procedures and Programs.
• Policies.
• Checklists / Records.
• Product information (i.e. Specs and Work Instructions).
• Conduct/oversee internal training sessions with staff ensuring compliance to the above.
• Update the documentation as required to ensure continual improvement and complete alignment to operational activities at all times.
• Implement, review and maintain quality control checks, sampling and interpretation/trending to routinely evaluate the performance of the above.
• Develop schedule and perform internal audits
• Maintain all documents and records.
• Represent the company during Quality and Food Safety audits at the applicable sites, i.e. WW Hygiene and/or Process Control Audits, SAMIC SSF Audits, FSSC audits, etc.

Quality Control

• Conduct risk assessments and design/implement adequate control measures for all product and manufacturing processes.
• Verify PRPs with regards to customer specifications and regulatory requirements and ensure compliance by operational departments as scheduled.
• Maintain a zero tolerance to customer complaints / process non-conformances / audit findings; conduct investigations and improve documented system and its implementation as required.
• Oversee schedule, commission and trend micro sampling of environment, raw material and final products.
• Monitor and improve procedures and controls to prevent cross-contamination (physical, micro and allergen).
• Verify and maintain product and process related quality records and monitoring for reference.
• Oversee compliance of product and process control equipment.
• Ongoing training of staff.
• Conduct regular Internal Audits.

 
Projects & Trials (New products and continual improvement trials)

• Liaise closely and work with matrix teams (NPD, Technical, Production and others) to ensure the success of all trials taking place within the factory.
• Ensure trial plans are established, reviewed and communicated to all factory staff prior to trials being performed in factory.
• Execute the technical aspects of new product development or improvement trials or projects, including trial designs and reporting.
• Compile trial reports, share reports with matrix teams and clients.
• Formalize/review/implement product Specifications, Work Instructions and Quality Contracts.
• Assist during implementation in production.
• Oversee trial final product and sample management, dispatch and communication.
• Conduct/oversee internal training sessions with the staff ensuring compliance to the above.
• Oversee continual evaluation activities i.e. KPI sessions, customer KPIs and others.
• Update the System (HACCP, Checklists, Raw Material and Allergen Matrix’s etc.) as required to ensure complete alignment of the System to the operational activities at all times.
• Implement, review and maintain quality control checks, sampling and interpretation/trending to routinely evaluate the performance of the above.

Team Management

• Manage and coordinate the Quality Controllers within the applicable site(s).
• Supervise, manage and control subordinates and their activities to ensure targets are met.
• Advise and strategically assist line manager
• Oversee time and attendance of direct subordinates.
• Ensure disciplinary procedures are applied adequately.
• Assure stable employee relations by managing conflict and creating a positive and performing working environment.

Technical Relationships

• Build and maintain a technical relationship with customers and peers.
• Liaise and feedback on all client enquiries within 48 hours or as specified.
• Represent the company during plant walk-throughs and audits.
• Build good relationships and trust between departments while ensuring a zero tolerance to non-conformances in the aim to grow a Quality Culture within the company.

SHEQ

• Always ensure acceptable personal hygiene of all staff.
• Always manage correct use of PPE.
• Process and product hygiene standards always maintained.
• All duties are performed according to the Group Occupational Health and Safety guidelines and procedures.

 
Working days and hours

• Working a 9-hour working day excluding lunch time depending on shift.

Minimum Requirements
Qualification details

• Diploma in Food Technology is required.
• Degree in Food Science is preferred.

 
Experience

• 2 - 4 years’ technical and/or Quality Assurance (QA) experience in a FMCG environment is required.
• 1 – 2 years supervisory experience is required.
• Must have prior experience with the development and/or review of Food Safety & Quality Management Systems such as HACCP, VACCP, TACCP and FSSC 22000.

Functional Competencies

• Food Safety & Quality Management Systems.
• Regulatory & Customer Compliance.
• Risk assessment & Control Design.
• Quality Control & Verification.
• Audit & CAP Implementation.
• Project, Trials & Product Implementation.
• Document & Change Control.
• People Supervision & Training.
• Stakeholder & Technical Communication.