Lead Auditor - Food Certification

QIMA; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uncapped commissions

Autonomy to grow business

International group support

Ownership culture

Job summary

QuantiLAB, part of QIMA, is launching a Certification Business Unit across Southern and Eastern Africa. We seek a Lead Auditor who combines technical auditing excellence with entrepreneurial drive to build the region's certification presence.

You will report to the Regional Director and lead audits under HACCP, BRCGS, GlobalGAP, ISO 22000, while developing long‑term client partnerships across food producers, growers, processors, and retailers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Agriculture, Microbiology, or a related field.
• Good level of English.
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in food safety auditing and certification, with a track record of third‑party audits under HACCP, BRCGS, Global GAP, ISO 22000.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards and certification processes and a commercial mindset.
• Analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Leadership and management skills to develop a high-performing team.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, global environment with competing priorities.
• Humble, enthusiastic and rigorous, with a taste for the field.
• Experience with AI in the workplace is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Drive commercial launch and growth of QuantiLAB's certification activity across Southern and Eastern Africa, building a client pipeline and converting prospects into long-term partners.
• Conduct food safety and quality certification audits (HACCP, BRCGS, Global GAP, ISO 22000, etc.) as a Lead Auditor, ensuring accreditation compliance.
• Leverage industry relationships and develop new ones with producers, growers, processors, and retailers to position QuantiLAB as the region's preferred certification body.
• Monitor market trends, regulatory developments, and competitive activity to refine the offering and regional strategy.

Skills

Auditing

Business development

Leadership

English proficiency

AI exposure

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science

Job description

Job Description

Somewhere between the sunlit vineyards of the Cape and the bustling port of Mombasa, a new chapter in food certification is being written - and we're looking for the person who will write it. QuantiLAB is launching a Certification Business Unit across Southern and Eastern Africa, and we need someone who is equal parts expert auditor and natural entrepreneur.

You know the standards inside out - BRCGS, HACCP, Global GAP - but you also know how to open doors, build trust, and turn conversations into long‑term partnerships. If you're ready to step out of the routine audit cycle and into a role where you are truly building something from the ground up, this is your moment.

The Lead Auditor will be responsible for launching and growing QuantiLAB's Certification Business Unit in Southern and Eastern Africa, combining technical auditing excellence with entrepreneurial business development. The role will report directly to the QuantiLAB Regional Director working as part of our Certification & Operations team.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the commercial launch and growth of QuantiLAB's certification activity across Southern and Eastern Africa, identifying target markets, building a client pipeline, and converting prospects into long-term certification partners.
• Conduct food safety and quality certification audits (HACCP, BRCGS, Global GAP, and related standards) as a qualified Lead Auditor, ensuring rigorous compliance with accreditation requirements.
• Leverage existing industry relationships and develop new ones with food producers, growers, processors, and retailers, positioning QuantiLAB as the certification body of choice in the region.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and regulatory developments to continuously refine QuantiLAB's certification offer and support the regional business strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Agriculture, Microbiology, or a related field; an advanced degree or additional certification in food safety management is a plus.
• Good level of English; a second language would be a plus.
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in food safety auditing and certification, with a proven track record of conducting third‑party audits under standards such as HACCP, BRCGS, Global GAP, ISO 22000, or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards and certification processes (BRCGS, Global GAP, HACCP, ISO 22000, and similar), combined with a genuine commercial mindset and the ability to identify and develop business opportunities.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop a high‑performing team.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, global environment with competing priorities.
• Humble, enthusiastic and rigorous, with a taste for the field.
• Previous exposure to using AI at work or a strong personal acquaintance with AI products.

What We Offer

• Uncapped Sales Commissions - your performance drives your earnings, with no ceiling on your success.
• A pioneering role with real autonomy to build and shape QuantiLAB's certification presence in a dynamic, high‑growth region.
• The support of an international group (QIMA) with established tools, systems, and networks across 100+ countries.
• A culture built on ownership, innovation, and impact - where your entrepreneurial spirit will be celebrated, not constrained.