Lab Technician at The South African Breweries (SAB)

• The Key Purpose of this role is to provide laboratory support to the value chain by performing checks and analyses on VOP’s raw materials to enable production to produce beer that conforms to AB InBev quality standards.

Key Roles & Responsibilities:

Quality Assurance and Analysis

• Responsible for meeting quality KPIs and preventing quality non-compliances.
• Promote quality awareness and contribute to overall site quality performance.
• Maintain housekeeping and 5S standards and promote a quality culture.
• Carry out specialized and highly specialized quality analyses where required.
• Record analysis results on appropriate information systems and communicate accordingly.
• Conduct analysis of results to identify problems and improvement opportunities timeously.
• Assist the plant in executing quality analyses when required.
• Conduct calibration of specialist equipment for which the lab is responsible.
• Conduct required and requested quality audits, complete documentation, and communicate results.
• Review quality analysis procedures of production teams, identifying problems or training needs.
• Conduct regular audits of calibration procedures and analytical practices to ensure compliance with Zone/Global standards.
• Initiate corrective actions arising from quality audits impacting laboratory operations.
• Support production teams in problem solving, providing specialist assistance and technical guidance.
• Assist with coaching and mentoring production teams on problem-solving and analytical techniques.
• Carry out specialized analyses supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
• Determine and perform additional analytical work to evaluate improvement opportunities.
• Participate in regional and divisional process optimization initiatives as required.

Sampling and Testing

• Conduct sampling as per manualized methods, ensuring identification, verification, and integrity.
• Prepare and dispatch samples according to standard procedures.
• Prepare relevant apparatus, equipment, and reagents as per manualized methods.
• Perform analyses using fundamental laboratory techniques and practices.
• Generate accurate results at specified times and record and report results as per standard manuals.

Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE)

• Adhere to PPE policy and maintain a safe and healthy work environment.
• Identify and act on unsafe conditions and work practices.
• Handle and store chemicals, reagents, and hazardous substances in line with documented procedures.
• Ensure adherence to laboratory safety rules, guides, and practices.
• Report and act on incidents as per procedure.
• Adhere to housekeeping schedules and maintain clean, safe working conditions.
• Ensure calibration of equipment according to manualized methods and maintain calibration records.
• Follow the out-of-control procedure and identify non-conformances.

Key Attributes & Competencies:

• Proactive and detail-oriented.
• Proven leadership ability.
• Strong analytical ability with precision and accuracy.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Problem-solving capability.
• Ability to use computer programs effectively.
• Strong numeracy and organizational skills.
• Commitment to teamwork and continuous self-development.

​Minimum Requirements:

• National Diploma in Chemistry, Food Science, or Biotechnology.
• BTech in Chemistry or equivalent qualification (advantageous).
• 2–3 years’ experience in a laboratory environment.
• Understanding of process control within the malting process environment.
• Good understanding of VPO (Voyager Plant Optimization) principles and practices.