Section Head Microbiology at Lactalis South Africa

Job Description    

Job Overview:

• To ensure the efficient supervision of the microbiology team to ensure on time delivery

Requirements:

• Degree in Biomedical Technology/Microbiology 
• 3-5 years working experience within a food/pharmaceutical laboratory 
• At least 2 years’ experience with international requirements of GLP / GMP/HACCP/ISO 22000
• 2 – 3 years management/supervisory experience
• Knowledge of SANS 17025 is required

Required Skills    

• Key Behavioural Dimensions and Skills:
• Pro-active and energetic with a high level of attention to detail/accuracy.
• Organizational commitment and integrity
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Food Safety and Quality Culture (FSSC 22000 V6)
• Good planning and organizing skills
• Good verbal and written communication
• Good time management skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to lead and manage a team

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Propose, develop and continuously update methods and/or SOP’s for improving customer service 

Ensure improvement in outputs:

• Plan and allocate work for the team daily
• Ensure the completion of daily assigned schedules 
• Provide daily/ weekly/ monthly indicators to management 
• Identify /report and investigate product failures/ deviations / out of specifications 
• Take action to ensure improvements and empowerment of the team 
• Ensure team compliance to Laboratory Quality Systems (SANS 17025) and GLP
• Ensure competency annually for accredited methods (technical signatory) 
• Participate in team projects identified by the Quality Control Manager 
• Assume active involvement and membership of HACCP team
• Responsible for the following Microbiology duties:
• Perform problem solving and troubleshooting (RCA)
• Rapid and accurate testing of raw materials, environmental, water and finished products 
• Verification of results  
• Generating relevant administration documentation
• Feedback to Production Departments
• Liaise with the respective supervisor and/ or manager in the factory with respect to the planning of work submitted to the laboratory  

Coordinate the following Maintenance duties:

• Evaluate finished product and raw material specifications 
• Assist with the generation of maintenance and calibration schedules 
• Maintain Breakdown and Usage Database for all laboratory instruments 
• Assist with stability program including the receiving of samples & submission of results
• Ensure that relevant stock is in place i.e. reagents, consumables etc.

Closing Date    

• 2026/02/20