POSITION:QC MANAGER
LOCATION:MATROOSFONTEIN, WESTERN CAPE
DIRECT REPORTS:+4
ROLE DESCRIPTION
The Quality Control (QC) Manager is responsible for overseeing and ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and compliance of all laboratory testing and quality control activities within the chemical manufacturing facility. This role ensures that raw materials, in-process samples, and final products meet internal specifications and regulatory requirements. The QC Manager leads the laboratory team, manages analytical and instrumental testing workflows, and works cross-functionally to support continuous improvement and product quality consistency.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Quality Control Operations
- Ensure Health and Safety and ISO 9001 responsibilities, procedure and protocols are followed and reported on when necessary.
- Manage all day-to-day operations of the QC laboratory, including sample collection, analysis, documentation, and reporting.
- Oversee the testing of raw materials, intermediates, and finished products according to approved methods and SOPs.
- Ensure that laboratory data is accurately recorded, validated, and retained per applicable quality standards.
- Perform HAZOP’s as required for any changes, new chemicals or processes
- Oversee the QC of the product manufacturing process on Cape Town, Gansbaai and USA sites and immediately report variances.
- Annual budgeting and expense management for laboratory and external samples Report writing
- Perform any other adhoc duties as and when required.
Team Leadership & Training
- Supervise and mentor a team of laboratory technicians, analysts, and chemists.
- Conduct training on analytical techniques, safety protocols, and quality systems.
- Coordinate work allocation, performance appraisals, and development plans for lab personnel.
- Instrumentation & Method Management
- Oversee calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of laboratory instruments (HPLC and bioassay experience will be beneficial).
- Approve and validate new test methods or modifications to existing methods in collaboration with R&D or external labs.
Compliance & Documentation
- Ensure compliance with ISO 9001, Ecocert, or other relevant standards.
- Maintain and audit laboratory records, test reports, control charts, and Certificates of Analysis (CoAs).
- Generate product safety data sheets
- Lead internal audits and support external regulatory inspections and client audits.
- Review, update and validate all quality and laboratory related SOPs.
Continuous Improvement & Risk Mitigation
- Identify quality risks and implement CAPAs (Corrective and Preventive Actions).
- Support root cause analysis and quality investigations in collaboration with production and QA teams.
- Drive improvements in laboratory and production efficiency, testing accuracy, and turnaround times.
- Management of Process Improvement and out of Specification stock
- Ensure sufficient safety stock has passed through QC to meet production demands
- Improve formulations
- Improve shelf life
Commercial and marketing support
- Preparing customer samples
- Collaborating with commercial team and reporting technical findings to customers
- Collaborate with external parties/universities/institutes.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Masters’ Degree in Chemistry, or any equivalent science degree
- Must have worked on a GC-MS and/or LC-MS
- 3-5 years’ experience in a similar industry and role
- 3-5 years experience managing a team
- Must have a good understanding of extraction methods and derivatisation techniques
- Published scientific peer review papers will be advantageous
- Attention to detail
- Must be willing to travel (10% travel)
- Must be a self-starter and willing to work independently.
Please apply by sending your application through the LinkedIn portal.
Closing date for applications: 24 June 2025.
Disclaimer: Our recruitment process adheres to the Protection of Personal Information Act. Due to the high volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should an external candidate not hear from us within two (2) weeks following their application, they should consider their application unsuccessful.
Strictly fair and non-discriminatory selection procedures will be followed. We use employment Equity (EE) and Affirmative Action (AA) measures in an endeavor to redress the disadvantages in employment experienced by designated groups. Where possible, preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act and in line with Afrikelp’ Employment Equity plans. Afrikelp reserves the right to defer or close a vacancy at any time.