Lab Technician (Analytical) - Prospecton Brewery at The South African Breweries (SAB)

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for meeting Quality KPIs
• Prevent quality non compliances
• Promote quality awareness
• Contribute to quality performance at the site
• Promotion of a quality culture
• Maintain housekeeping and 5S standards

Maintain Equipment and Workplace

• Maintain and calibrate equipment
• Maintain a safe and healthy environment

Analyse Samples

• Prepare samples
• Conduct analyses

Compliance to VPO Quality Pillar and other applicable VPO requirements

• Execute VPO activities in accordance with the VPO work practices
• Execution of activities to ensure compliance to food safety and quality management systems

Process Control

• Sampling is carried out as per manualised methods
• Samples are identified, verified and handled to retain integrity as per manual
• Samples are prepared and dispatched, if necessary, as per manualised method
• Relevant apparatus, equipment and reagents are prepared as per manualised method
• Analysis is performed using fundamental laboratory techniques and practices
• Accurate results generated at specified times
• Results are recorded and reported as per standard manuals
• Non conformance identified
• Out of control procedure adhered to
• VPO compliance

Lab Equipment

• Equipment is maintained and calibrated according to manualized methods
• Equipment calibration frequencies are adhered to
• Calibration records available and update

Safety and healthy work environment

• Adherence to PPE policy
• Unsafe conditions and work practices are identified and actioned
• Chemicals and reagents are handled as per manualized procedure
• Hazardous substances are stored, handled and disposed of as per procedures
• Adherence to documented lab safety rules, guides and practices
• Incidents are reported and actioned as per procedure
• House keeping schedules are adhered to

Specialist Analysis

• Carry out specialised and highly specialised quality analyses where required
• Record the results of analyses conducted on appropriate information systems and communicate results accordingly
• Conduct analysis of results to identify problems and improvement opportunities timeously
• Assist the plant in the execution of quality analysis, where required
• Conduct calibration of specialist equipment for which the labs are responsible

Quality Auditing

• Conduct required and requested quality audits, completing the appropriate documentation and communicating the results
• Review quality analysis procedures of production teams, identifying problems or training needs and communicating these to the team leader
• Conduct regular audits of calibration procedures of production teams and communicating results
• Conduct audits of analytic procedures to ensure compliance with Zone/Global guidelines, and identifying corrective actions required
• Where required, initiate corrective actions coming out of the quality audits in areas that impact the laboratory

Continuous Improvement

• Carry out specialised analyses in support of the evaluation of continuous improvement opportunities
• Determine additional analytical work required evaluating continuous improvement opportunities
• Take part in regional and divisional process optimisation initiatives as required

Key Attributes and Competencies:

• Problem Solving - Support the production teams in problem solving, providing specialist assistance and techniques. Furthermore, assist with coaching/mentoring of production teams on problem solving and correct use of problem solving techniques as require
• Training - Support the training of the production teams and assist with coaching/mentoring of production teams on quality analyses and correct use of analytical techniques
• Proactive
• Proven leadership ability
• Ability to utilise computer programmes
• Analytical ability
• Communication skills and interpersonal skills (Communicate effectively in the workplace)
• Problem solving skills
• Precision and accuracy, attention to detail
• Numeracy
• Contribute to self and team development

Minimum Requirements:

• Min –National Diploma Chemistry, Food Science, Biotechnology
• B Tech Chemistry or equivalent (Desirable but not essential)
• 2-3 Years in Laboratory, Understanding of process control within the malting process environment (Desirable but not essential)
• Good understanding of the principles and practices of VPO (Desirable but not essential)