Lead QA Engineer - Food & Beverage (Hybrid, Cape Town)

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance-based bonus

Medical aid

Provident fund

Annual leave

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks an experienced Lead Quality Assurance Engineer to develop, implement, and manage QA programs ensuring product safety and regulatory compliance. You will lead a QA team and drive continuous improvement across a diverse product range.

The ideal candidate has 6+ years in QA within food & beverage, with leadership experience, strong HACCP/ISO 22000 knowledge, and proven QMS implementation skills. Hybrid work in Cape Town is offered with opportunities for development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years in QA in the food & beverage industry.
• Leadership or supervisory experience (2+ years).
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, ISO 22000, GMP.
• Experience with QMS implementation and audits.
• Excellent analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a hybrid Cape Town environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain the QMS per regulatory requirements.
• Lead and mentor the QA team with training and performance management.
• Oversee raw material inspection, in-process checks, and finished product testing.
• Conduct internal audits and risk assessments; implement CAPA.
• Investigate complaints and root causes; apply corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, ISO 22000, and GMP.
• Collaborate with R&D, production, and supply chain to embed quality.
• Manage external audits by regulators and certification bodies.
• Present quality performance reports to senior management.

Skills

Leadership experience

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Quality management

Problem-solving

Team mentoring

Statistical analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, or related field

Job description

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks an experienced Lead Quality Assurance Engineer to develop, implement, and manage QA programs ensuring product safety and regulatory compliance. You will lead a QA team and drive continuous improvement across a diverse product range.

The ideal candidate has 6+ years in QA within food & beverage, with leadership experience, strong HACCP/ISO 22000 knowledge, and proven QMS implementation skills. Hybrid work in Cape Town is offered with opportunities for development.