Laboratory Technician

BevCo; Middelburg; On-site; ZAR 220,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

BevCo is seeking a laboratory specialist to conduct microbiological and analytical tests on raw materials and finished beverages, ensuring results are communicated and corrective actions implemented to meet safety, quality and production standards.

The role covers environmental and non-product testing, equipment calibration, deviations reporting, and adherence to food safety management systems, with qualifications of a BSc in Microbiology or related, and at least one year of FMCG lab experience.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Perform microbiological and analytical testing on products using approved methods.
• Conduct tests on carbonated beverage products and incoming materials.
• Verify conformance through external SANAS accredited testing where applicable.
• Calibrate equipment and perform daily verifications.
• Communicate results and deviations to team leader and quality manager.
• Assist in root cause analysis for deviations.
• Ensure reagents availability and safe waste disposal.
• Support Health, Safety, Quality, and food safety standards compliance.

Skills

Laboratory testing

Microbiological testing

Analytical testing

Education

Grade 12

BSc in Microbiology

Biotechnology/Diploma or B.Tech Food Technology

Job description

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