Lab Coordinator at Lactalis South Africa

Job Description    

• Join Lactalis SA at our Ladysmith Plant as a Production Coordinator.  
• The main responsibilities of a Lab Coordinator is to ensure to maintain accurate records of test results in the laboratory.
• Position also responsible for ensuring that calibrations are done as per schedule as well as to conduct metrology checks.
• Generate reports and give daily reporting to Quality Manager and production with regards to results.
• Running Lab as efficient as possible.

Required Skills    

• BSc Food science or equivalent qualification
• At least 3 years' experience in a supervisory position
• Computer literate - spread sheets and word processing
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Sound knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices (including ethical and disciplined behaviour, safety, etc.)
• Sound knowledge of standard microbiological test procedures.
• Able to work under pressure.
• Able to carry out tasks accurately within reasonable time constraints.
• Be able to think and operate independently and make decisions.
• Able to supervise one or more individuals.
• Must have abilities to stand in for the Quality Manager when so required.
• Attention to detail.
• Willing to learn.

Duties & Responsibilities    

• Conducting accurate microbiologist tests on samples, according to working instructions
• Promote quality and hygiene as a value key in the lab
• Operations management and continuous improvement of the Lab department
• Budget and stock control
• Develop People Assets in your team
• Setting up, calibrating, maintaining and cleaning of laboratory equipment.
• Recording test results accurately.
• Analysing results to ensure consistence to specifications.
• Issue lab reports - use graphs, charts and written comments on results.
• Ensuring that all lab methodologies or processes are well controlled and documented.
• Conduct experiments on samples, evaluate outcomes and make suggestions.
• Assist in investigations into problems both in the laboratory and on the production floor as part of an investigation team.
• Support production to ensure customers satisfaction.
• Work according to and promote FSSC 22 000, HACCP, GMP, GLP, and NOSA standards
• Ensure that laboratory team uses take swabs in factory for hygiene purposes.
• Pathogen monitoring in factory and following up on positive pathogen results.
• Ensure that micro procedures are carried out in an aseptic manner, including Lactalis procedures.
• Coliforms, E.coli, EB, Yeast and Mould, TPC, Spores.
• Ensure that laboratory team completes retests according to retest procedure.
• Ensure that laboratory team prepares of all media and sterile equipment required for micro tests before 12:00 every day.
• Ensure that laboratory team uses the pH of the distilled water before use in the preparation of culture media.
• Ensure that laboratory team captures of final product results on QMS and spread sheet.
• Maintain sufficient but not excess stock of laboratory consumables.
• Ensure that laboratory team prepares and taking of surface swabs for micro testing.
• Operating of clean trace luminometer to verify cleaning practices.
• Safety, GMP and food safety audits.
• Ensure that laboratory team daily hygiene and pathogen program sampling.
• Work according to and promote Food safety and Continues Improvement.

Date Closing

• 2025/06/18