Lead Quality Assurance Engineer - Food & Beverage

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

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the food and beverage industry, is seeking an experienced and dynamic Lead Quality Assurance Engineer to join their team in **Cape Town**. This critical role will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing comprehensive quality assurance programs to ensure product safety, integrity, and compliance with all relevant regulatory standards. You will lead a team of QA specialists, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and be a key stakeholder in maintaining the highest quality benchmarks for our diverse range of products. This is an exciting opportunity to shape quality standards in a thriving market, working within a company committed to excellence and innovation in **Cape Town**. The successful candidate will leverage their expertise to uphold our reputation for quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain the company's Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Lead and mentor the Quality Assurance team, providing guidance, training, and performance management.
• Oversee all quality control activities, including raw material inspection, in-process checks, and finished product testing.
• Conduct internal audits and risk assessments to identify potential quality issues and implement preventative measures.
• Investigate customer complaints and product non-conformances, identifying root causes and implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards such as HACCP, ISO 22000, and local food regulations.
• Collaborate with R&D, production, and supply chain teams to ensure quality is integrated throughout the product lifecycle.
• Manage external audits by regulatory bodies and certification agencies.
• Stay updated on evolving quality assurance trends, regulations, and technologies within the food and beverage sector.
• Prepare and present regular quality performance reports to senior management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, or a related scientific field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in Quality Assurance within the food and beverage industry, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards (HACCP, ISO 22000, GMP) and regulatory requirements.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing QMS and conducting audits.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong leadership and team management abilities, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in using quality management software and standard office applications.
• Experience with statistical analysis and quality control tools.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a hybrid work model based in **Cape Town**.
• Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to quality and safety.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive medical aid and provident fund.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Opportunities for further training and professional development.
• Access to modern facilities and cutting-edge technology.
• Employee wellness programs and initiatives.
• Relocation assistance may be considered for exceptional candidates outside of **Cape Town**.