Quality Assurance Manager

Merand Recruitment; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Merand Recruitment represents an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to lead the Technical team at Airport Industria. The role manages and improves the site’s FSMS/QMS, HACCP, GMP and external standards to ensure product safety and quality.

Responsibilities include audits, corrective actions, data analysis and cross‑functional collaboration with Operations, NPD and customers to drive improvements.

Qualifications

• BSc(Hons) in Food Science or related degree required.
• 6–10 years’ experience in a similar food production environment.
• Lead Auditor qualification with FSSC 22000/BRC experience.
• HACCP – Intermediate/Advanced.
• Food Hygiene Training – Level 3 minimum.
• Strong knowledge of FSMS/QMS and customer requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage and continuously improve FSMS/QMS, HACCP, GMP and FSSC 22000/BRC systems.
• Ensure compliance with internal, customer and external food safety standards.
• Plan and conduct internal, supplier and external audits with corrective actions.
• Lead and manage Factory Technologists, QA/QC and hygiene personnel.
• Train, develop and coach technical and quality teams.
• Analyse quality data and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Organisational skills

Problem solving

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Planning & coordination

Team management

Education

BSc (Hons) in Food Science or related degree

Lead Auditor qualification (FSSC 22000/BRC)

HACCP – Intermediate/Advanced

Food Hygiene Training – Level 3

Job description

Our client is looking for an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to join their Technical team based in Airport Industria. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and continuously improving the site’s Food Safety and Quality Management Systems, ensuring compliance with HACCP, GMP, FSSC 22000/BRC and customer requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and continuously improve FSMS/QMS, HACCP, GMP and FSSC 22000/BRC systems.
• Ensure compliance with internal, customer and external food safety and quality standards.
• Manage traceability of raw materials and finished products and ensure products meet specifications.
• Plan and conduct internal, supplier and external audit activities and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Monitor and trend customer complaints, quality issues, RTVs and microbiological results.
• Conduct root cause analysis, risk assessments and implement corrective, preventative and improvement actions.
• Oversee food safety hazards, CCPs, validation, verification and environmental monitoring programmes.
• Support factory trials, pre-production and new product launches, ensuring compliance with legislation, GMP and customer requirements.
• Lead and manage Factory Technologists, QA/QC and hygiene personnel.
• Ensure effective training, induction, coaching and development of technical and quality teams.
• Work closely with Operations, NPD, Process Technologists, customers and other sites to resolve quality issues and drive improvements.
• Analyse quality data and trends and make recommendations to improve processes and reduce risk.
• Promote a strong food safety, quality and continuous improvement culture across the site.

Key Requirements

• BSc (Hons) in Food Science or a related degree/higher qualification.
• 6–10 years’ experience in a similar food production environment.
• Lead Auditor qualification with FSSC 22000/BRC experience.
• HACCP – Intermediate/Advanced.
• Food Hygiene Training – Level 3 minimum.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and quality management systems.
• Excellent organisational, leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to make sound decisions and remain confident under pressure.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Computer literate, with proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Leadership and team management
• Planning and coordination
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Food science and technical knowledge
• Customer orientation
• Time management
• Resilience and adaptability
• Initiative and continuous improvement
• Effective communication
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Key Performance Measures:

Customer complaints/KPIs, audit performance, quality issues/RTVs and microbiological results.
*ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED*

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Quality Assurance Manager • Airport Industria, Western Cape, ZA