Head of Technical — Food Safety & Quality Leader

Libstar; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Libstar is seeking a Head of Technical to lead the Select Products Cluster across Cape Town and White River. You will shape the food safety, quality and technical agenda, oversee governance, and drive continuous improvement from concept to consumer.

You will build a high-performing technical team, strengthen supplier and customer partnerships, and ensure regulatory and retailer standards are met while supporting growth into new markets.

Qualifications

• A relevant degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Microbiology or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years’ senior-level experience in food safety, technical, quality assurance or product development.
• Strong experience across food manufacturing, retail and food service.
• In-depth knowledge of quality and food safety management systems, including HACCP, QMS, FSSC 22000 and ISO; exposure to international or GFSI-recognised standards is advantageous.
• Experience in branded, retailer own-brand, premium or high-growth food categories.
• Sound knowledge of regulatory frameworks, ethical sourcing, sustainability and environmental requirements.
• Proven track record of building and leading high-performing technical teams.
• Travel locally and internationally when required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the long-term technical, food safety, ethical sourcing and sustainability strategy, aligned with business growth, innovation and customer priorities.
• Lead, coach and develop technical business unit heads and their teams, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, enablement and high performance.
• Ensure technical capability, skills and resources remain aligned with current and future business needs.
• Spearhead the technical transformation agenda across the Cluster and promote knowledge sharing, consistent standards and best practice.
• Set future-fit, scalable quality and technical policies, standards and procedures aligned with legislation, industry requirements, customer standards and retailer audits.
• Act as the Cluster authority on technical legislation, due diligence, audit compliance, food safety governance and emerging risk.
• Define and monitor KPIs across food safety, quality, health and safety, sustainability and ethical trade.
• Own robust technical approval and gatekeeping processes for all products, from sourcing and development through launch and ongoing maintenance.
• Build strategic partnerships across retail and food-service channels, suppliers, manufacturers, third‑party service providers, customers and industry bodies.

Skills

Food safety leadership

Quality assurance

Product development

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Travel readiness

Education

Degree in Food Technology/Food Science/Microbiology

Job description

Libstar is seeking a Head of Technical to lead the Select Products Cluster across Cape Town and White River. You will shape the food safety, quality and technical agenda, oversee governance, and drive continuous improvement from concept to consumer.

You will build a high-performing technical team, strengthen supplier and customer partnerships, and ensure regulatory and retailer standards are met while supporting growth into new markets.