Lab & Hygiene Manager at The Coca-Cola Company

Job Description    

• Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) presents an exciting opportunity for a Lab & Hygiene Manager, to join the Midrand team at CCBA.The role will report to the Country Lead : Quality, Safety & Environment.

Key Duties & Responsibilities    
Key Outcomes

• Lead country-level governance of microbiological testing to ensure accurate, reliable, and timely testing.
• Oversee laboratory standardization, including test methods, equipment calibration, and best practices across sites for Micro Testing
• Ensure compliance with laboratory quality management systems and company standards.
• Develop and oversee implementation of hygiene and sanitation programs in manufacturing plants.
• Manage GMP and all Micro issues in plants
• Ensure cleaning and disinfection procedures are effective and aligned with food safety standards.
• Lead environmental monitoring programs to verify hygiene control in production areas
• Govern microbiological testing programs for raw materials, process intermediates, and finished products.
• Monitor and report on microbiological trends, leading root cause analysis for deviations.
• Ensure labs and hygiene practices comply with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and certification.
• Lead preparation for audits and inspections by internal teams, external certification bodies, and regulatory agencies.
• Drive hygiene improvement projects, including cleaning optimization, microbial risk reduction, and environmental control upgrades.
• Benchmark industry best practices and deploy new technologies and methods for lab and hygiene excellence.
• Lead, coach, and develop Principal Microbiologists and lab teams across the country.
• Build technical capabilities in hygiene management and microbiology through training programs.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to ensure hygiene and microbiological standards are embedded in daily operations.
• Interface with external labs, auditors, and regulatory bodies as the hygiene and microbiology authority for the country.

KBI

• Microbiological Compliance Rate (%)
• Hygiene Audit Compliance Score (%)
• Reduction in Hygiene-Related Non-Conformances (%)
• Environmental Monitoring Compliance Rate (%)
• Corrective Action Closure Rate (%)
• Lab Testing Accuracy and Turnaround Time (TAT) Compliance (%)
• Employee Training Completion Rate in Hygiene & Microbiology (%)

Functional Capabilities

• Laboratory Management & Testing
• Hygiene & Sanitation Control
• Microbiological Risk Management
• Regulatory & Standards Compliance
• Audit & Certification Readiness:
• Data Analysis & Quality Reporting
• Leadership & People Development
• Cross-Functional Collaboration.

Skills, Experience & Education    

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Food Science, Biochemistry, or a related technical field.
• Advanced certifications in Food Safety (e.g., FSSC 22000, ISO 22000), Hygiene Management, or ISO 17025 are advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 8-10 years in laboratory management, microbiological control, or hygiene management roles in FMCG (preferably beverage production and bottling).
• At least 5 years in a leadership role managing microbiologists or laboratory/hygiene specialists.
• Demonstrated experience in environmental monitoring, cleaning validation, and audit preparation

Skills

• Deep technical knowledge of microbiology, hygiene, and beverage safety standards.
• Proficient in lab equipment calibration, testing method validation, and troubleshooting.
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills 
• Competence in laboratory information systems, hygiene management systems, and reporting tools.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver in high-pressure environments.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite and quality management software tools.

Deadline:22nd January,2026