Biochemist & Quality Assurance Officer

6149Cf10-3B23-4055-9B42-Ae58388F39Fb; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading animal health company is seeking a motivated Biochemist & Quality Assurance Officer to support product formulation and quality assurance in Pretoria. You will be responsible for developing new products and ensuring compliance with QA standards. Ideal candidates have a degree in Biochemistry and experience in the pharmaceutical or veterinary field. This full-time on-site role offers a competitive salary based on experience.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years’ experience in pharmaceuticals or veterinary sciences.
• Familiarity with South African regulations for pharmaceutical products.
• Ability to source raw materials and manage supplier relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develop new products for animal health and nutrition.
• Support daily QA operations and GMP compliance.
• Engage with internal stakeholders and clients for technical discussions.

Skills

Formulation experience

Analytical mindset

Problem-solving orientation

Strong communication skills

Education

Degree or diploma in Biochemistry or related field

Job description

Biochemist & Quality Assurance Officer

Our client is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented Biochemist & Quality Assurance Officer to support product formulation and quality systems within an animal-health and compounding environment. Location: On-site, office based in Pretoria.

Type: Full-time Salary offered: Roughly R CTC per month (dependent on experience)

Role overview

You’ll split your time between R&D / formulation and day‑to‑day quality assurance.

Key responsibilities

Formulation & Product Development

Develop new products for animal health and nutrition. Formulate, optimise, stabilise, and improve liquids, gels, pastes, oils, syrups, creams, powders, and dry blends (including complex / challenging systems).

Experimental Design & Scale‑up

Design and run experimental trials; coordinate approvals for scale‑up and production. Draft clear manufacturing protocols, batch formulas, and SOPs for new products. Research compatibilities and reaction pathways across pesticide actives, botanicals, herbals, essential oils, solvents, biologicals, and nutraceutical components. Source and evaluate raw materials; coordinate procurement for trials and pilot runs. Maintain strong working relationships with ingredient vendors.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

Support daily QA operations and ensure strict GMP compliance in line with South African regulatory expectations. Manage documentation control, batch record review, deviations, CAPAs, and quality metrics. Conduct product testing / validation and drive continuous process improvement. Oversee correct production practices on the floor; coach teams and intervene where corrective action or refresher training is needed.

Communication & Training

Engage professionally with internal stakeholders and clients; lead technical discussions when required. Train production staff on new processes, specifications, and updates from R&D findings.

Requirements

• Degree or diploma in Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific field.
• 1–2 years’ experience in a pharmaceutical, veterinary, compounding, laboratory, or formulation setting (advantageous).
• Demonstrated formulation experience across liquids, gels, pastes, oils, syrups, creams, powders, and dry blends.
• Solid understanding of chemical compatibility and stability (including pesticide actives, essential oils, botanicals, and biological ingredients).
• Familiarity with Act 36 of South Africa and/or other relevant legislation. (advantageous).
• Strong analytical mindset, excellent attention to detail, and problem‑solving orientation.
• Ability to source raw materials and manage supplier relationships.
• Confident communicator (written and verbal); able to engage clients and production teams.
• Fully literate, physically fit, and comfortable working independently in a lab‑based environment.
• Own reliable transport.