Quality & Food Safety Manager

JustTheJob.co.za; Springs; On-site; ZAR 750 000 - 950 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food safety organization in Springs, South Africa is seeking a Site Quality & Food Safety Manager. This role involves driving the implementation of quality and food safety programs, ensuring compliance with standards, and collaborating with various departments to reduce consumer complaints. The ideal candidate will have at least 7-10 years of manufacturing experience and strong analytical skills. The position demands excellent leadership and project management capabilities, with an expectation of minimal travel.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7-10 years broad Manufacturing experience required.
• Leadership and communication skills emphasized.
• Experience in HACCP, GMP, and food safety programs necessary.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of Quality and Food Safety systems.
• Drive consumer complaint reduction initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on food safety projects.

Skills

Understanding of food law

Food technology

Project management

Strong analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Tertiary qualification

Post-Graduate studies in Manufacturing or Food Technology

Job description

Quality & Food Safety Manager JustTheJob.co.za•Springs, South Africa

Role Description

Title: Site Quality & Food Safety Manager, Springs, South Africa

Function & Business Unit: Supply Chain – MENAT-SSA BU

Reports to: Springs Plant Director; (dotted) Senior QFS Manager SSA-JV

Global Level: GL4

Purpose of the role: QFS single point of contact for Springs, South Africa, driving implementation of Kellanova Quality & Food Safety programs, policies & procedures. Actively owns & drives the creation, implementation, promotion and improvement of the Quality and Food Safety culture in Springs Plant. Provides Leadership in Quality and Food Safety to support top-line and bottom-line growth through key partnership across the Supply Chain. Partner closely with Plant Operations, R&D & Procurement. Works closely with regional QFS teams – KWS Quality, Sanitation, Food Safety, Auditing/Supplier development team to ensure consistency in QFS programs.

Working Relationships

Key Internal Contacts

• Reports to: Springs Plant Director; (dotted line) Senior QFS Manager SSA-JV


• Supervises: 3 direct reports


• Peers: Springs Plant Leadership Team

Key External Contacts

• Kellanova markets served by the plant/supply chain (consumers, customers, distributors)


• Government Legislative bodies


• External laboratories


• Consumers with product quality complaints


• Suppliers providing materials and services to the plant and supply chain (raw & pack materials, warehousing & logistics services, etc.)

Main KPI’s (not limited to)

• Recall/Withdrawal/inadvertent release


• Quality & Food Safety Incident reduction


• Consumer Complaint reduction


• Foreign Material Complaint reduction


• 7 Core Audit scores


• QFS-related write-offs


• KWS progression


• Sanitation metrics


• Pest Control


• Regulatory Compliance


• Allergen validations


• EMP

A Taste of What You’ll Be Doing

Lead and support the Site Quality & Food Safety Organization & support Plant Leadership Team in the implementation of an effective Quality and Food Safety system across Springs plant to achieve business expectations and the legislative requirements. Develop a Quality & Food Safety improvement strategic plan for Springs plant based on the Global/AMEA QFS Strategic Plans, fully integrated with the Plant CBN, and support the Plant Leadership team to implement. Own and drive the implementation & progression of the KWS QFS Program. Actively own & drive the creation, implementation, promotion and improvement of the Quality and Food Safety culture in Springs Plant through campaigns, specific QFS engagement activities and reward & recognition programs. Identify & address QFS gaps in Springs and implement (global/regional) best practices in the Quality and Food Safety systems to help drive business performance. Focus on closure of gaps as identified by facility audits. Recognize Quality & Food Safety-related deficiencies in programs, products, services, and designs, and implement process improvements, projects, and pro‑active programs to address these issues in a structural way. Own the Plant GMP, HACCP, Sanitation (incl EMP/Allergen validation) & Pest Control Programs and ensure maximum compliance through structural improvements. Ensure implementation of a robust and effective QFS training program and drive completion of training for the full population (incl contracted staff). Owns the food review process (incl PES) and ensures it stays relevant vs consumer complaints. Collaborate with cross functional partners (R&D, Procurement, Plant Operations) to eliminate losses and ensure all products are aligned to meet consumer needs and expectations for South‑Africa and relevant Export markets. Actively promote a Run‑to‑Target/Image Food mindset, supported by a robust Process Control Strategy. Liaise with R&D/Procurement on innovation projects to provide QFS input prior to and during new product launch, cost innovation and supply chain requests. Co‑own the Supplier Improvement Program together with Procurement to reduce Quality & Food Safety challenges across the Springs Supply Chain. Ensure timely and effective feedback and resolution on consumer complaints – actively own and drive consumer complaint reduction programs in Springs plant. Consult and support during QFS related issues and non‑conformances. Coach and develop capabilities of site QFS team. Partner with the Plant Leadership Team and Regional QFS leaders to identify retention risks for key site QFS talents with mitigation plans in place as required.

Your Recipe for Success

The individual should have knowledge and ability to understand food law, food technology, food chemistry, microbiology, cereal science, Good Manufacturing Practices, and Good Agricultural Practices. The individual will need tertiary qualification with a minimum of 7‑10 years broad Manufacturing experience. Post‑Graduate studies in Manufacturing, Food Technology and/or food safety would be beneficial. Must have strong analytical skill and excellent project management and communication ability. The incumbent will have a strong history of significant achievements both from a technical and business perspective. The incumbent should possess leadership and communication skills, and diplomacy that will promote good relations with suppliers, Procurement & management. This individual must be able to function effectively as a project manager, planner, coordinator, and communicator. To effectively perform the duties of this position the incumbent will have required extensive operational knowledge of the plants in his/her area and a general knowledge of the supporting department functions. The Incumbent must have the ability to work as part of a team with high standards and interpersonal skills working in conditions which include multiple and sometimes conflicting priorities, & extended work schedules. Travel should be max. 10%.

Get to Know Us

At Kellanova, we are driven by our vision to be the world’s best-performing snacks‑led powerhouse, unleashing the full potential of our differentiated brands and our passionate people. Our portfolio of iconic, world‑class brands include Pringles, Cheez‑It, Pop‑Tarts, MorningStar Farms, Special K, Krave, Zucaritas, Tresor, Crunchy Nut, among others. Our focus on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) enables us to build a culture of belonging where all employees have a place at the table and are inspired to share their passion, talents and ideas to work. Mars has agreed to acquire Kellanova in a combination that will shape the future of snacking! The transaction is anticipated to close within the first half of 2025 (subject to Kellanova shareowner approval and other customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals). The companies remain separate until closing. You can learn more at , and our hiring teams will be happy to discuss further questions if your application advances in the hiring process.

About Kellanova AMEA Home to 75% of the world’s population and contributing to 50% of the global GDP, the AMEA region represents a vast and promising market for Kellanova. This region provides an extensive geographic presence and holds substantial growth potential, especially considering our diverse portfolio spanning multiple categories. AMEA is strategically positioned for growth, positioning itself to become a prominent player in the snacking industry while maintaining a steady trajectory of cereal growth. As we expand our product offerings, reach new geographic horizons, and increase investments in emerging markets within AMEA, you have the opportunity to become an integral part of a dynamic and forward‑thinking organization. We are deeply committed to investing in our people and enhancing our capabilities to deliver value to our stakeholders.