Key Responsibilities
- Take full accountability for all food safety, quality, and technical functions across the business
- Manage and lead the Quality and Technical team, including Food Safety, QC, and related functions
- Maintain and continuously improve the FSSC 22000 Food Safety Management System to ensure ongoing certification
- Ensure full compliance with all statutory, regulatory, and customer-specific requirements (including retailer standards)
- Oversee end-to-end product quality and food safety from raw material procurement through to final product delivery
- Drive reduction in customer complaints through root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives
- Ensure all product documentation is accurate and maintained (specifications, COAs, shelf life, nutritional data, etc.)
- Act as the primary point of contact for customers, suppliers, and regulatory authorities on all technical matters
- Lead all audits and inspections, always ensuring full readiness and compliance
- Develop and implement technical and quality strategies aligned with overall business objectives
- Establish and manage training and development plans across production, quality, and technical teams
- Monitor risks and opportunities related to food safety and quality, implementing mitigation strategies
- Support broader business performance, including contributing to operational efficiency and profitability
- Work cross-functionally with production, NPD, maintenance, and operations teams to ensure alignment
- Assist with social compliance requirements in collaboration with HR
Requirements
- BTech / BSc in Food Technology, Food Science, or related field
- ISO 22000 Lead Auditor certification
- Strong working knowledge of HACCP, PRPs, and FSSC 22000 systems
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in a similar Technical or Quality leadership role within food manufacturing
- Solid understanding of microbiology and food safety principles
- Experience within the meat or cold foods industry highly advantageous
- Strong knowledge of major retailer (e.g. Woolworths) standards and requirements
- Proven leadership ability with experience managing cross-functional teams
- Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills
- High attention to detail and ability to operate in a compliance-driven environment
Email your CV to:
Persona Staff (PTY) Ltd is POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013) compliant.