Lab Technician at The South African Breweries

The key purpose of this role is to provide laboratory support to the value chain by performing checks and analysis on VOP's raw materials to enable production to produce beer that conforms to ABInBev quality standards.

Competence Requirements
Education

•  Min –National Diploma Chemistry, Food Science, Biotechnology

Desirable but not essential

•  B Tech Chemistry or equivalent
•  2-3 Years in Laboratory, Understanding of process control within the malting process environment
•  Good understanding of the principles and practices of VPO

Skills

•  Proactive
•  Proven leadership ability
•  Ability to utilise computer programmes
•  Analytical ability
•  Communication skills and interpersonal skills
•  Problem solving skills
•  Precision and accuracy
•  Attention to detail

 Numeracy

• Work in teams
•  Communicate effectively in the work place
•  Contribute to self and team development 

Output and Accountabilities

•  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

PROBLEM SOLVING

•  Support the production teams in problem solving, providing specialist assistance and techniques  Assist with coaching/mentoring of production teams on problem solving and correct use of problem solving techniques as required

TRAINING

•  Support the training of the production teams
•  Assist with coaching/mentoring of production teams on quality analyses and correct use of analytical techniques

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