Technologist: Food

Premier FMCG (Pty) Ltd; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Premier FMCG (Pty) Ltd in South Africa seeks a dedicated Food Safety & Quality Specialist to ensure compliant production of high‑quality foods. You will monitor hygiene, lead audits, and drive corrective actions within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Applicants should hold a tertiary qualification in Food Technology or Food Science, a Grade 12, and experience in production and quality settings. The role emphasizes HACCP, FSSC 22000, and continuous improvement in safety standards.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 required, essential.
• Tertiary qualification in Food Technology or Food Science required.
• Experience in Production and Quality environments, preferably food manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Maintain food safety, quality, hygiene, and 5S standards as a Food Safety Team member.
• Monitor hygiene and housekeeping across the factory.
• Investigate non-conformances and implement corrective actions.
• Communicate with suppliers and customers to resolve issues.
• Conduct internal, supplier, GMP, PRP and facility audits and close NCRs.
• Ensure compliance with FSSC 22000 and external audits.
• Verify QC checks: packaging, date coding, weight, glass, and temperature.
• Provide food safety training to employees.

Skills

Food safety systems

Technical ability

Attention to detail

Food Safety Management principles &amp

FSSC 22000 knowledge

Woolworths Code of Practice knowledge

Education

Grade 12

Bachelors in Food Technology or Food Science

Tools

MS Office

Job description

About Premier FMCG

Premier FMCG is at the heart of South Africa’s FMCG industry, delivering trusted, iconic brands across our Bakery, Milling, Confectionery, Home & Personal Care and Culinary divisions. We are driven by innovation, collaboration, and a high-performance growth culture. We empower our people to strive for excellence ensuring that our products and people make a difference in the everyday lives of our consumers.

Job Purpose

To ensure the safe, consistent and accurate production of quality food products, while maintaining compliance with company policies, food safety systems, quality standards, and health and safety requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the Food Safety Team, ensuring food safety, quality, hygiene, housekeeping and security standards are consistently maintained.
• Maintain a regular factory presence to monitor hygiene, housekeeping, clean-as-you-go and 5S standards.
• Investigate and resolve microbiological, quality, supplier, shelf-life, and customer-related non-conformances. Ensure that corrective and preventative actions are implemented and followed up.
• Manage non-conforming products, communication with suppliers, follow-up on corrective actions, and ensure NCRs are completed.
• Liaise with customers regarding queries and complaints, ensuring timely resolution and closure of complaints.
• Conduct internal, supplier, GMP, PRP, food fraud, food defence and facility audits. Track findings and ensure close-out of non-conformances.
• Ensure the Food Safety and Quality Management System complies with FSSC 22000 and external audit requirements.
• Verify QC and GMP activities, product conformity, packaging checks, date coding, weight verification, glass inspections and temperature monitoring.
• Conduct microbiological and analytical laboratory testing on raw materials, finished products and packaging.
• Manage incoming materials inspection, sampling, COA verification, specification compliance. Place stock on hold where required.
• Perform trend analysis, and maintain electronic systems for non-conformances, document control and verification records.
• Implement, review, risk assess and maintain HACCP plans and Food Safety & Quality Management System documentation.
• Manage and implement changes in line with FSSC 22000 change management.
• Implement and monitor allergen control programs.
• Conduct traceability, mock recall exercises, root cause analysis and problem solving.
• Conduct induction and food safety training for employees.
• Manage NPD site projects from trial phase through to system and documentation updates.
• Provide support to QC, customer complaint handling and general departmental activities as required.
• Assist with Ad Hoc duties within the departments as and when required.

Experience and Qualifications

• Grade 12 (Essential)
• Tertiary qualification in Food Technology; Food Science (Essential)
• Previous experience in a Production and Quality environment preferably Food Manufacturing (Essential)

Skills and Competencies

• Strong knowledge of food safety systems, including ISO standards, PRPs, and food safety protocols
• A strong technical ability
• Attention to detail
• Good knowledge of Food Safety Management principles and GMP
• A sound knowledge of FSSC 22000, Food processing and Woolworths Code of Practice
• Computer literacy (MS Office – Word/EXCEL/Outlook)

Diversity & Inclusion

Premier FMCG is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including people living with disabilities. By applying, you consent to the processing of your personal information in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI Act) for recruitment purposes.

Closing date: 16 October 2026