Head of Product Development and Quality - Feitoria at Nando's

Job Description
Responsible for creating and enforcing the quality standards, procedures and policies and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and internal quality guidelines.

To lead and develop new products from concept to commercialisation. Work closely with cross functional teams to drive innovation, meet consumer needs and ensure the successful launch of products in the market. 

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science / Technology, Engineering, or an NQF Level 7 equivalent in a relevant field
• Lead Auditor certificate.
• BRC/FSSC 22000 Implementation certificate
• Six Sigma Quality Control Certification
• ISO 9001
• ISO 31000
• Legal Requirements
• Valid driver’s license
• ISO 9001 Certification
• ISO 31000 Certification
• ISO 2200 Certification
• ISO 14001 Certification
• BRC Implementation Certification 

Minimum

• Overseeing the implementation of audit and quality management systems (8 years +)
• Managing Managers and people (5 years)
• New Product Development and Quality Management experience in FMCG (8 years +)
• Knowledge of an integrated food processing environment (5 years)
• Familiar with quality management systems and certification: ISO, HACCP, BRC/EFSIS/IFS (5 years)
• Ability to lead a team in alignment with the Company core values and leadership behaviors. (5 years)
• Project Management skills

Ideal

• 5 years working experience in Quality and health and safety in a manufacturing/ FMCG environment as a Section 16(2) appointee or similar with a leadership role in quality control and quality assurance working with SABS 9001/22000
• Management experience in Quality and Product Development/ Marketing
• Advanced Computer Proficiency – 5 years’ experience working with MS Office (Word, Excel, PP, MS Project) 
• Advanced ERP systems knowledge
• Experience in a managerial role

Duties and Responsibilities 

New Product Development and Quality Management

• Manage the site QA team ensuring all products produced at the site plant are meeting Nandos and Corporate standards as well as legal and customer requirements. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Appropriate QA and testing for incoming materials, material in process and finished goods.
• Management of GMP, hygiene and food safety
• The management of non-conformance
• Continuous improvement
• Problem solving, troubleshooting.
• Leading complaint investigation
• Reporting (QA KPI’s, incidents)
• Site responsibility for the QMS ensuring the organization of internal quality and food safety audits and hosting external customer audits.
• Assists in site implementation of policies set by Technical EMEA and Corporate QA
• Ongoing management of the Quality and Food Safety Systems at the Condiments facility
• Manage the development, implementation and certification of Quality and Food Safety Systems at the Condiments Facility
• Ensure the Quality functions of the facility are aligned with global Nandos strategy and implement World Class practices.
• Ensure customer quality requirements are achieved.

Compliance and technical assistance

• Implement, maintains and continuously improves the Nando’s supplier technical and manufacturing compliance system.
• Sets clear standards for Nando’s operating and manufacturing systems both internally as well as at Supplier level and monitors their performance.
• Provides technical assistance for all internal manufacturing and operational as well as supplier issues.
• Participates in problem solving relating to technical aspects across the internal manufacturing and raw material supply chain.
• Identifies supplier weaknesses, recommends corrective actions, and monitors implementation and maintenance thereof.
• Keeps current with standard requirements and legislation changes both locally and in the markets, Nando’s operates in.
• Ensure that the minimum standards of excellence with BRC are always achieved.
• Management of all internal and external Audits
• Ensure Internal Hygiene and Safety.
• Management Rep for HACCP and ISO
• Checks all supplier audits together with quality department of identified suppliers when required.

Complaint handling and resolution

• Collaborates with QA on all consumer complaints from in country summaries, with specific regard to product complaints.
• Participates with QA in all investigations, reports and closing out customer complaints within the agreed timeframes.
• Implements continuous improvement to existing practices and new ways of working.
• Manages food safety and product quality problems together with QA team relating to consumer complaints, when required.
• Ensures NCR’s are investigated and closed timeously.

People Management

• Establish developmental plans for all direct reports, train to ensure effective temporary backup personnel and effective succession plans are in place.
• Guide, coach and support staff on the KPI and Development plan
• Manage conflict and encourage a harmonious working environment.
• Food safety and quality awareness champion.

Reporting

• Manages technical data on all R&D projects (where applicable)
• Interprets laboratory reports and specifications and QC results from manufacturing.
• Checks on all and updates or maximizes efficiency of all process control, manufacturing procedures all documents required in a timely and accurate manner.
• Monitors from time-to-time supplier performance documentation, technical specifications, QAS, and formulations.
• Manages packaging department to ensure all existing packaging is performing to its maximum and ensures any new developments are managed timeously by the current packaging team.
• Ensure all non-conformances are timeously managed and corrected to avoid any potential financial loss to the company.
• Participate in management review meetings.
• Quality dashboard reporting.
• NCR meetings and reports presentation.