Food Technologist

Amaro Foods; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 250 000 - 350 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company in Cape Town is seeking a Quality Assurance Specialist to manage raw material quality and safety, ensuring compliance with food safety standards. This role involves conducting risk assessments, developing documentation, and collaborating with suppliers to maintain high-quality standards. An ideal candidate holds a relevant degree and has experience in food manufacturing or quality assurance.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years' experience in food manufacturing, QA, or technical role.
• Familiarity with FSSC, BRC, ISO, or other food safety standards an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Manage quality and safety of raw materials, ensuring compliance.
• Conduct risk assessments and manage supplier approval processes.
• Develop and update Food Safety Management System documentation.

Skills

Quality assurance

Document control

Risk assessment

Supplier management

Food safety standards

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science

Diploma in Food Technology or Microbiology

Job description

We are looking for a dynamic, innovative, customer centric individual to join the technical team at Amaro Foods Facility in Epping.

Purpose of the role

To manage and continuously enhance the quality and safety of raw materials, ensuring full compliance with food safety standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.

This role is responsible for conducting comprehensive risk assessments, and facilitating innovation through efficient evaluation, approval and streamlining of ingredients.

Additionally, the role acts as the custodian of the Amaro Group Food Safety Management System (FSMS) documentation, ensuring robust document control processes are in place to maintain sites compliance and audit readiness.

Main Tasks / Responsibilities

Maintain accurate and up-to-date raw material and packaging specifications. Facilitate review and approval of new raw materials and suppliers against food safety and quality standards. Review and approve COA templates against identified quality and food safety risks. Maintain up to date supplier raw material routine testing and compliance reports. Conduct supplier risk assessments and manage supplier approval and performance rating processes. Support or lead raw material traceability and compliance audits. Support procurement strategies that enhance supplier compliance, raw material and packaging availability and partnerships. Ensure all raw materials comply with local regulations (e.g. R), GFSI standards, and customer-specific requirements. Conduct quality, food safety and VACCP risk assessments for raw materials and packaging; ensure timely updates on risk assessments. Investigate raw material non-conformances and manage corrective actions. Monitor raw material trends (e.g. foreign objects, microbiological alerts, or sensory deviations, availability).

Develop, maintain and update FSMS / IMS policies and procedures in line with business requirements. Ensure centrally managed FSMS documents are timeously reviewed and released in line with relevant systems and procedures. Ensure timely rollout, standardization and centralization of existing and new FSMS documents utilized across all sites. Ensure proper communication of all applicable documents to relevant stakeholders in line with business policy. Conduct document control procedure training for all sites technical managers. Maintain supplier and raw material data in internal systems (e.g. spec portals, ERP, QA databases).

Support the development of supplier reporting requirements and automated document control programs. Work closely with Procurement, Product Development, and Operations to support material changes or launches. Support trials and validations involving new alternative raw materials. Drive innovation through research on ingredients functionality and stability. Liaise with site Technical Managers for timely update and release of FSMS procedures. Live the brand by living our core values. Team focused Safety environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, or related field
• 2–3 years' experience in food manufacturing, QA, or technical role
• Familiarity with FSSC, BRC, ISO, or other food safety standards an advantage

Why Amaro Foods?

Our team values collaboration and innovation, offering an environment where problem-solving is key. If you enjoy a dynamic workplace that fosters creativity and teamwork, this opportunity is tailored for you. If you meet the requirements and are excited to contribute to our team, please send your CV to with the subject line AMAFT.