Lab Technician (Micro) - Newlands Brewery at The South African Breweries (SAB)

Key Roles and Responsibilities:​

• Aseptically Sampling, Handling and Preparation for microbiological analysis​
• Sterilization of Culture media using techniques like autoclaving and Isolation of Microorganisms​

Perform Various Micro Techniques:​

• Colony counts (e.g., pour plating, spread plating).​
• Microbial identification using biochemical tests, staining techniques (e.g., Gram stain), and microscopy.​
• Molecular techniques (e.g., PCR) if trained and required.​
• Operate and calibrate specialized lab equipment, including microscopes, incubators, autoclaves, centrifuges, and other analytical instruments.​

Quality Control and Assurance:​​

• Maintain detailed and organized records, ensuring traceability and regulatory compliance.​​
• Analyze and interpret data from tests, including reading plates for bacterial counts and evaluating microbial growth.​​
• Assist with report writing and presentations as needed.​​
• Monitor and maintain an adequate inventory of reagents, media, supplies, and consumables.​​
• Maintain a clean, organized, and sterile laboratory environment including waste management of biohazardous substances etc.​​
• Participate in the development and optimization of microbiological methods and procedures.​

​Governance:​

• Standards are in place and well understood​
• Training and operational assessments are done against the specified methods​
• Verification of the execution of the procedures to ensure that they comply with the standards​
• Verifying Quality Control and Analysis in utilized by packaging, raw materials and quality production teams ​
• Ensuring for quality packaged product is delivered by designated production lines​
• Ensuring execution of required quality checks and analyses, and accuracy of results inputted on the appropriate information system​
• Ensure that VPO tools are utilized and imparted to production teams ​

Maintenance of Equipment:​

• Ensure and conduct autonomous operations as defined for the instrumentation​
• Ensure equipment is operated according to SOP’s ​
• Perform routine maintenance, cleaning, and calibration of laboratory equipment. ​
• Develop work instruction to empower autonomous maintenance of equipment, to ensure its uptime ​
• Identify defective equipment, and report these to the Team Leader, Instrumentation Technician and Lab Specialist ​

Communication: ​

• Actively participate in shift meetings, asking questions to test understanding and contributing suggestions. Making use of the action logs to record issues, problems and improvement opportunities ​
• Make use of relevant communication media to stay informed and inform others of issues​
• Utilizing VPO digital tools to improve understanding of process and standards​
• Required to escalate out-of-control processes to all Stakeholders​
• Complete required hand over to incoming shift team members, ensuring the issues relating to plant performance, quality and maintenance are communicated ​

Problem-Solving:​

• Ensure Problem solving for all out-of-control processes using the VPO problem solving tools to resolve and record the issues​
• Ensure QFR and why are done timeously​

Minimum Requirements: ​

• MSc/BSc Microbiology, Biotechnology or equivalent ​
• Minimum of 1 - 2 years working experience in FMCG industry ​
• Understanding of brewing & packaging process and environment ​
• Assertive and analytical​
• Proactive​
• Proven leadership ability ​
• Understanding of the principles and practices of Manufacturing Excellence ​
• Available immediately