Quality Assurance Manager

Network Finance; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Finance is seeking a strategic, hands-on Quality Leader for a senior role in a high-volume food manufacturing environment. You will drive the Quality Assurance and Food Safety Management System, ensuring compliance with FSSC 22000, HACCP, GMP and customer-specific requirements, while leading audits and CAPA programs.

You will mentor the Quality team and partner with Production to enable operational readiness.

Qualifications

• Must have 10+ years in Quality Assurance within food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of FSSC 22000, HACCP, GMP and food safety systems.
• Proven experience managing audits, customer complaints, CAPA processes and root-cause analysis.
• Demonstrated leadership in a senior Quality role.
• Experience in FMCG, contract packing or co-manufacturing environments is highly advantageous.
• Valid driver’s licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Quality Assurance and Food Safety Management System.
• Ensure compliance with FSSC 22000, HACCP, GMP, Halaal, Kosher, E-Mark and customer-specific requirements.
• Manage internal, customer, certification and regulatory audits.
• Drive non-conformance, corrective action and continuous improvement processes.
• Lead root-cause investigations and ensure effective CAPA implementation.
• Manage customer complaints and serve as the senior technical point of contact.
• Oversee product release, quarantine, rejection and quality hold decisions.
• Collaborate with Production and Engineering to ensure operational readiness.
• Drive Right First Time manufacturing and reduce waste, rework and downtime.
• Lead, mentor and develop the Quality team while promoting accountability and excellence.

Skills

Quality leadership

Audits & CAPA

Root cause analysis

Food safety systems

Regulatory compliance

Customer engagement

Problem solving

Team development

Education

Degree or Diploma in Food Science/Technology/Quality Management/Microbiology or related

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Quality Assurance and Food Safety Management System.
• Ensure compliance with FSSC 22000, HACCP, GMP, Halaal, Kosher, E-Mark and customer-specific requirements.
• Manage internal, customer, certification and regulatory audits.
• Drive non-conformance, corrective action and continuous improvement processes.
• Lead root-cause investigations and ensure effective CAPA implementation.
• Manage customer complaints and serve as the senior technical point of contact.
• Oversee product release, quarantine, rejection and quality hold decisions.
• Collaborate closely with Production and Engineering teams to ensure operational readiness.
• Drive Right First Time manufacturing and reduce waste, rework and quality-related downtime.
• Lead, mentor and develop the Quality team while promoting a culture of accountability and excellence.

Requirements

• Relevant Degree or Diploma in Food Science, Food Technology, Quality Management, Microbiology or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years' Quality Assurance experience within food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of FSSC 22000, HACCP, GMP and food safety systems.
• Proven experience managing audits, customer complaints, CAPA processes and root-cause analysis.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a senior Quality role.
• Experience within FMCG, contract packing or co-manufacturing environments is highly advantageous.
• Valid driver's licence.

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be a strategic yet hands-on Quality leader who thrives in a high-volume manufacturing environment, can confidently engage with customers at a technical level, and is committed to driving food safety, compliance, quality excellence and continuous improvement.