Food Technologist at Rhodes Food Group

RFG Foods; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company in Johannesburg is seeking a Quality Assurance Specialist to ensure compliance with food safety standards and manage quality processes. The ideal candidate will have a tertiary qualification in Food Technology or Food Science and at least 3-4 years of experience in the food or beverage industry. Responsibilities include investigating quality issues, conducting audits, and training staff within a factory setting. This role offers an excellent opportunity to work in a dynamic team focused on food safety.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 - 4 years' experience in the Food or Beverage Industry with specific focus on quality assurance.
• Exposure to bakery and pastry manufacturing is advantageous.
• Sound knowledge of FSSC 22000 and Food processing.

Responsibilities

• Act as a member of the food safety team and food safety culture team.
• Investigate and solve microbiological issues on components and products.
• Conduct internal audits and assist in managing the internal audit schedule.
• Maintain presence in factory to monitor hygiene and perform internal audits.

Skills

Technical ability

Knowledge of Food Safety Management principles

Microsoft Office literacy

Microsoft Office literacy

Education

Tertiary qualification in Food Technology/Food Science

Tools

Shopware system

Job description

Duties & Responsibilities

• Act as a member of the food safety team and food safety culture team
• Investigate and solve any microbiological issues on components, final products and environmental and cleaning efficacy
• Inform suppliers of non-conforming products and follow-up on corrective action
• Investigate and solve any quality issues on components and final products
• Investigate customer complaints and implement appropriate corrections, corrective actions, and preventative actions
• Investigate RTV's and implement appropriate corrections, corrective action, and preventative actions
• Investigate non-conforming shelf-life results and implement appropriate corrections, corrective action, and preventative actions
• Investigate any other food safety or quality non-conformances and implement corrective and preventative actions
• Conduct internal audits and assist in managing the internal audit schedule
• Ensure that non-conformance reports (NCR's) are completed and investigated by the responsible department/supplier
• Maintain supplier assurance and related documents
• Liaise with customers regarding any queries, customer complaints and other quality issues
• Complete weekly and monthly trending reports
• Verify of Process and QC activities
• Supervision of QC supervisors
• Daily Critical control point (CCP) verification
• Conduct internal training as per training schedule
• Update of documentation relevant to the Food Safety and Quality Management System
• Work on electronic systems for non-conformances, document control, updating and process verification
• Conduct Traceability and mock recall studies and report any non-conformances
• Review and update of Food safety policies and procedures
• Review and update production records as needed
• Retrieving export documents

Factory Responsibilities

• Maintain presence in factory to monitor and enforce hygiene and housekeeping rules and perform internal audits. Report any non-conformances w.r.t these audits conducted
• Report any food safety or quality related issues as noticed in the factory
• Raise maintenance job cards for food safety related issues
• Total presence in factory during deep clean, inspection of all areas and releasing factory after cleaning
• Make corrections; implement corrective and preventative actions that are factory based as required
• Oversee processes and procedures inside the factory
• Validations of CCP's

Food Safety Team Responsibilities

• Duties as per signed letter of appointment
• Attend Food Safety Team meetings
• Take actions as per Food Safety Team meeting minutes

Desired Experience & Qualification

• A recognized tertiary qualification in Food Technology/Food Science
• Minimum 3 - 4 years' experience in the Food or Beverage Industry with specific focus on quality assurance
• Exposure to bakery and pastry manufacturing will be advantageous
• Exposure to Shopware system will be advantageous
• A strong technical ability
• Good knowledge of Food Safety Management principles and Good Manufacturing Practices

Practices

• A sound knowledge of FSSC 22000, Food processing and Woolworths Code of Practice
• Microsoft Office literacy