Laboratory Technician

The BEverage COMpany; Komani; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

The BEverage COMpany is seeking a Laboratory Technician in the Operations team to conduct microbiological and analytical testing of raw materials and finished products to ensure food safety and quality.

You will perform product and environmental testing, report results, assist in root-cause analysis, manage reagents and waste, and support health and safety procedures in a fast-paced FMCG setting.

Qualifications

• Grade 12.
• BSc in Microbiology or related degree, or BTech in Food Technology.
• 1 year product testing in FMCG.
• 1 year laboratory experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct microbiological and analytical testing on products using SOPs.
• Communicate results and deviations to Team Leader and assist root-cause analysis.
• Ensure reagents are available and waste disposed according to safety rules.
• Perform non-product environmental micro-testing on equipment, water and air.
• Monitor CCPs and OPRPs as per SOP.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Analytical Thinking

Proactive problem solving

Teamwork and communication

Integrity and accountability

Adaptability

Safety

Education

Grade 12

BSc in Microbiology

BSc/ Biotechnology Diploma or B.Tech Food Technology

Job description

Laboratory Technician

Operations

Responsible for laboratory testing and analysis of raw materials and finished products to support food safety, quality and production standards.

Job Purpose

To conduct microbiological and analytical tests on raw materials and finished products manufactured. Ensuring results are communicated and corrected. To comply with the organisational as well as legal standards and procedures. To carry out any other relevant duties as required.

Key Accountabilities and Outputs

Product and Raw Material Testing

Conduct microbiological and analytical testing on the following products using approved testing methods as per SOP

• Carbonated soft drink
• Incoming raw material and verification of consignment products
• External verification tests by a SANAS accredited laboratory
• Equipment calibration and or daily verification
• Conduct analytical tests in water as follows: pH., Brix, CO2, FS02, Turbidity and Alcohol %, TSO2, etc.
• Organoleptic checks
• Packaging quality checks
• Seam evaluation quality control checks
• Conducting microbiocidal testing of the final product, surfaces, and the environment, etc.

Non-product environmental testing

• Conduct micro-testing on equipment, environment, water, and air by plating on Agar plates
• Conducting micro-testing on environmental swabs

Communication, reporting of results, and deviations, and investigation

Communicate any deviations to the Team Leader and/or Quality manager and assist in root cause analysis to identify the source of deviation/ non-conformity

Ensure all reagents to be used are available and discard all waste generated during analysis

• Plans work accordingly and request reagents if not available or about to expiure
• Correct and safe packing of waste for disposal

Health, Safety, Quality and FSSC 22000

• Visual inspection on plant and products
• Ensure adherence to standards
• Ensure that all work is done in a safe manner and all equipment used complies with safety standards.
• Support the companies Health and Safety as well as Quality programme to achieve the identified objectives and targets and fulfil the responsibilities assigned by management
• Adhere to all food safety standards and report on all issues with regards to the food safety management system to the Food Safety Team
• Ensure that the Critical Control Points (CCP1) and Operational Prerequisite Programs (OPRP2) are measured, monitored and verified at predetermined frequencies as per SOP

Quality and Experience

• Grade 12
• BSc in Microbiology, BSc/ Biotechnology Diploma or B.Tech Food Technology qualification
• 1 year product testing in FMCG
• 1 year laboratory experience

Key quality and behavioural competencies

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous in observing deviations and ensuring precise measurements to maintain product consistency
• Analytical thinking: Ability to evaluate data, identify trends, and troubleshoot quality issues pro-actively
• Proactive problem solving mindset: Applies root-cause analysis to resolve defects, inspired by continuous improvement practices. Ability to investigate issues and implement solutions under pressure
• Teamwork and communication: Collaborates with production teams and communicates findings clearly to drive corrective actions, fostering a quality-focused culture.
• Integrity and accountability: upholds ethical standards in testing and reporting, taking ownership of quality outcomes
• Adaptability: Thrives in a dynamic manufacturing setting, handling shift work and responding to real-time production challenges
• Safety: Commitment to safety, quality, demonstrating integrity in upholding standards without compromise

Additional duties

• When required, perform analysis on the purchased raw materials in accordance with RMQC plan
• Additional QC duties required as per business requirements