Ingredients Quality Specialist at The Coca-Cola Company

Job Description    

• Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) has exciting opportunities in the Manufacturing department. We are looking for a talented individual with relevant skills and experience for a Ingredients Quality Specialist role.

Key Duties & Responsibilities    

Ingredient Quality Governance

• Ensure all ingredients used in production meet Coca-Cola and legal quality standards, including microbiological, chemical, physical, and sensory parameters.
• Define and maintain ingredient specifications in alignment with global and local requirements.
• Collaborate with Procurement and New Product Development teams to assess and approve new ingredients and changes to existing ones.

Supplier Quality Management

• Manage and monitor the performance of ingredients suppliers, including participation in supplier audits and evaluations.
• Support the development and implementation of supplier corrective actions when non-conformances are identified.
• Work with Global Ingredient Quality and Technical Teams to ensure supplier qualification and ongoing compliance.

Incident Management & Risk Mitigation

• Lead or support investigations related to ingredient-related complaints, deviations, or safety incidents.
• Conduct root cause analyses and implement CAPAs (Corrective and Preventive Actions) to prevent recurrence.
• Maintain risk assessments and ensure ingredient traceability protocols are in place and effective.

Technical Support to Plants

• Serve as the central contact for all ingredient-related quality queries from manufacturing plants.
• Provide technical support during production issues, trials, or new ingredient introductions.
• Monitor compliance with ingredient handling, storage, and testing procedures.

Audit and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure ingredient compliance with Coca-Cola Operating Requirements standards, ISO/FSSC certifications, and local regulatory requirements.
• Prepare ingredient documentation and support plant teams during internal, external, or regulatory audits.

Data Management & Reporting

• Maintain ingredient quality data, monitor trends, and report on key quality indicators.
• Support digital transformation initiatives related to ingredient quality monitoring and data visualization.

KBI

• % Compliance to ingredient specifications
• Number of ingredient-related non-conformances and incidents
• Ingredient-related consumer and customer complaints (per million units)
• Number of supplier non-conformances and repeat issues
• Corrective/preventive action closure rate
• On-time testing and approval rate for new ingredients
• Audit performance (ingredient-related findings)

Functional Capabilities

• Ingredient Quality Management
• Supplier Quality Assurance
• Quality Systems & Compliance 
• Analytical & Problem-Solving
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Data-Driven Decision-Making

Skills, Experience & Education    
Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or related technical discipline.
• Advanced training or certification in quality management systems (e.g., ISO 22000, FSSC 22000) is advantageous

Experience

• 5-8 years in quality assurance/control, preferably within the FMCG beverage or food industry.
• Hands-on experience with supplier quality management and ingredient testing.
• Proven track record in managing food safety certifications (e.g., FSSC 22000, ISO 9001, HACCP).

Skills

• Strong knowledge of ingredient characteristics, quality testing, and risk factors
• Ability to interpret and apply food safety regulations and internal standards
• Competence in root cause analysis tools (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone, FMEA)
• Proficiency in specification systems, QMS platforms, and Microsoft Excel
• Strong analytical and reporting skills
• Effective communication and stakeholder engagement, both internal and external
• Audit preparation and documentation skills

Deadline:22nd July,2025