Quality Assurance Manager (68144) at Ntice Sourcing Solutions

Job Description

• Our client, a well-established FMCG manufacturing company based in Mayville, Durban, is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to lead the Quality Assurance function.
• The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring compliance with food safety, quality and regulatory standards while driving continuous improvement across the business

Key Responsibilities

Food Safety & Quality Management

• Lead and continuously improve the Food Safety Management System
• Ensure compliance with FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, HACCP, GMP, GHP and applicable South African food legislation
• Lead the Food Safety Team and drive a strong food safety culture

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Ensure all products consistently meet customer specifications, legal requirements and internal quality standards
• Manage certification, customer and internal audits, ensuring timely closure of corrective actions
• Oversee HACCP, Food Defence (TACCP), Food Fraud (VACCP), allergen management and traceability programmes

Quality Control & Laboratory

• Oversee raw material, in-process and finished product quality control
• Manage laboratory testing, product release, environmental monitoring and shelf-life verification

Supplier & Customer Quality

• Manage supplier approval, audits and performance
• Act as the technical contact for customer quality matters, including complaints, audits and product specifications

Continuous Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement through KPI monitoring, trend analysis, CAPA, Root Cause Analysis and process optimisation
• Maintain quality documentation and electronic quality management systems

Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop the Quality Assurance team
• Promote a culture of accountability, compliance and continuous improvement across the organisation

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Biotechnology or a related field

Experience

• Minimum 5 years' experience in FMCG food manufacturing
• Minimum 3 years' experience in a Quality Assurance leadership role
• Proven experience with FSSC 22000, HACCP and Food Safety Management Systems
• Experience leading internal, external and customer audits

Advantageous

• Experience within seasoning, spice, ingredient or dry blending manufacturing
• Private label and export manufacturing experience

Knowledge & Skills

• Food Safety Management Systems
• FSSC 22000, HACCP, GMP & GHP
• Root Cause Analysis and CAPA
• Internal Auditing
• Food Defence (TACCP) & Food Fraud (VACCP)
• Regulatory compliance
• Strong leadership and people management
• Excellent communication and analytical skills
• Microsoft Office and ERP systems (Odoo advantageous)

Preferred Certifications

• HACCP Team Leader
• Internal Auditor
• FSSC 22000
• GMP
• Food Defence & Food Fraud
• Allergen Management
• Food Safety Culture
• Traceability & Recall

Additional qualifications such as ISO Lead Auditor, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing or Project Management will be advantageous

Key Performance Indicators

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Maintaining FSSC 22000 certification
• Successful audit outcomes
• Reduction in customer complaints and quality incidents
• Effective implementation of corrective actions
• Continuous improvement in food safety, quality and operational performance

Working Conditions

• Office environment
• Production environment
• Warehouse environment.
• Regular walking through production areas
• Occasional lifting of product samples (up to 15 kg)
• Exposure to spices, seasonings, dust and food manufacturing environments
• Occasional travel to suppliers, customers, contract manufacturers and certification bodies

Authority

The Quality Assurance Manager has the authority to:

• Stop production where food safety is compromised
• Reject non-conforming raw materials or finished products
• Place stock on hold pending investigation
• Initiate corrective and preventive actions
• Recommend supplier suspension where food safety or qualify standards are not met
• Escalate significant food safety risks to the Managing Director