Quality Assurance Manager - Food Production

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Relocation assistance

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a seasoned Quality Assurance Manager to lead the QA/QMS at our Durban facility. This hands-on role requires presence on site to drive food safety, quality control, audits, and continuous improvement across production and technical teams.

The ideal candidate holds a degree in Food Science, Microbiology or Chemistry, with 7+ years in QA and at least 3 in management, strong HACCP/GMP knowledge, and proven ability to implement and maintain ISO-compliant systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry or related discipline.
• 7+ years in Quality Assurance with at least 3 years in management in food manufacturing.
• In-depth knowledge of HACCP, GMP, ISO 22000 and related regulations.
• Experience implementing and managing a QMS.
• Strong leadership, communication and decision-making skills.
• Proven ability to lead audits and drive continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, ISO 22000 and GMP regulations.
• Oversee QA activities from raw materials to finished product.
• Lead QA team, providing training and performance management.
• Conduct internal audits and manage external audits by regulators and customers.
• Investigate non-conformances and drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement to enhance quality and process efficiency.
• Maintain all QA documentation and records.
• Collaborate with Production, R&D, and Supply Chain to embed quality across lifecycle.

Skills

Leadership

Quality management

HACCP

GMP

QA audits

Statistical analysis

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science/ Microbiology/ Chemistry

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a leading producer of high-quality food products, committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and excellence. We are seeking a seasoned Quality Assurance Manager to lead our quality control and assurance efforts at our state-of-the-art facility in Durban . This critical role involves developing, implementing, and maintaining comprehensive quality management systems to ensure our products consistently meet regulatory requirements and customer expectations. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in food safety standards, HACCP, GMP, and a deep understanding of food production processes. You will be responsible for leading a team of QA professionals, conducting audits, managing non-conformance, and driving continuous improvement in quality performance. This is a hands-on role requiring presence at the manufacturing site to effectively oversee operations and collaborate with production and technical teams. This position is based in Durban and is not eligible for remote work.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain the company's Quality Management System (QMS).
• Ensure compliance with all relevant food safety regulations and industry standards (e.g., HACCP, ISO 22000, GMP).
• Oversee and manage all quality control activities, including raw material inspection, in-process testing, and finished product analysis.
• Lead and mentor the Quality Assurance team, providing training and performance management.
• Conduct internal audits and manage external audits by regulatory bodies and customers.
• Investigate customer complaints and non-conformance issues, implementing root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality and process efficiency.
• Maintain all quality-related documentation and records.
• Collaborate closely with Production, R&D, and Supply Chain departments to ensure quality is integrated throughout the product lifecycle.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in Quality Assurance, with at least 3 years in a management role within the food manufacturing industry.
• In-depth knowledge of food safety standards, including HACCP, GMP, and relevant national and international regulations.
• Proven experience in implementing and managing QMS.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in quality control methodologies and statistical analysis.
• Experience with food processing equipment and production environments.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to Durban , KwaZulu-Natal, ZA.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of R .
• Comprehensive medical aid and provident fund.
• Opportunity to lead quality initiatives in a reputable food manufacturing company.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Relocation assistance may be provided.
• A challenging and rewarding work environment.