Food Safety Technician - Upington Dried Fruit Plant at PepsiCo

Responsibilities

What we're looking for: 

• We're looking for a Food Safety Technician based at our Upington Dried Fruit Plant. We're looking for an To maintain the Food Safety Programme to AIB , FSSC 22 000 standards and HACCP legislation and align and implement the employees to the same specifications.

Accountabilities: 

Food Safety System Management

• Ensure the Food Safety Management System (FSMS) is effectively implemented, maintained, and reviewed.
• Sustain and continuously improve compliance with BRC, AIB, GMP, HACCP, and other relevant certifications.

Documentation & Compliance

• Manage document control systems for accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) system, ensuring timely resolution of non-conformances.
• Coordinate and conduct internal audits (including monthly AIB audits) and ensure timely closure of findings.

Food Safety Leadership

• Champion the Food Safety agenda and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
• Lead implementation and maintenance of food safety programs, including staff training and awareness.

Critical Control Points (CCP) Oversight

• Coordinate and validate CCPs to ensure hazard control and HACCP compliance.

Site Hygiene & GMP Compliance

• Maintain facility cleanliness and hygiene per GMP standards.
• Conduct internal hygiene and AIB audits
• Monitor and enforce GMP best practices across all staff.

Training & Development

• Facilitate food safety training and inductions.
• Support ongoing education and competency development in food safety and hygiene.
• Succession building - Prepare potential candidates for future roles by involving them in audits, projects, and FS culture initiatives.

Health & Safety Integration

• Align food safety practices with health and safety regulations and company policies.
• Actively participate in prevention and identification of safety risks.

Project & Change Management Support

• Collaborate with project teams to assess food safety risks in facility or process changes.

Quality & NPD Support

• Assist Quality Control Manager with special projects and support New Product Development activities.

Performance Metrics & Reporting (non exhaustive list)

• Completion of Customer questionnaires.
• Completion of NCR and CPAR.
• Corrective actions for audit findings implemented on time.
• Internal audits and hygiene inspections completed as scheduled.
• AIB findings closed out within defined timelines
• FSQ food safety culture audit – improve on previous year.
• Trending of repeat findings/NCR.

Food Safety Culture & Engagement

• FSQ Culture living
• Quarterly FS Culture meetings and review of plan.

Qualifications

• Educational Qualification: Relevant three-year tertiary qualification in Food Technology, Microbiology, or a related field.
• Industry Experience: Minimum of 2 years’ experience in Manufacturing Management, preferably within the food industry.

Technical Expertise:

• Strong microbiological knowledge applicable to food safety and hygiene.
• In-depth understanding of GMP, AIB, and FSSC 22000 standards and their practical application.

Systems & Software Proficiency:

• SAP knowledge (advantageous);
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Office Suite for reporting, presentations, and documentation.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to identify risks, analyze root causes, and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Communication & Training: Capable of facilitating training sessions and communicating food safety requirements across all levels of staff.