QA Manager (Food Science)

Description:

Paarl: My client, a national leader in the food science industry, is seeking to employ a QA Manager to join its team. If you are eager to join a dynamic organisation focused on innovation and excellence, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Description & Purpose of the Role: This Quality & Food Safety Manager role is responsible for managing and maintaining the Food Safety System in line with HACCP (SANS 10330), customer, legislative, and regulatory requirements. The successful candidate will oversee product quality, lead the Quality team, manage quality incidents, audits, and corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement to meet both compliance and operational excellence objectives.

Responsibilities Include (but are not limited to):

• Development, implementation, maintenance, and continual improvement of the Food Safety System
• Ensuring compliance with all legislative, regulatory, and customer-specific food safety requirements
• Leading, developing, and managing the Quality Team
• Investigating and recording non-conformances and customer complaints
• Approving and verifying corrective actions, change controls, and concession requests
• Managing communication of food safety updates internally and externally
• Liaising with and managing service providers (e.g., pest control, hygiene services)
• Managing microbiological, chemical, and physical testing and reporting processes
• Verifying and issuing COAs/COCs and ensuring accurate client submissions
• Conducting GMP audits, internal audits, and facilitating certification or customer audits
• Compiling and presenting management reviews and food safety performance reports
• Authorising the release or hold of final products and managing recalls if required
• Ensuring equipment calibration and maintenance schedules are upheld
• Coordinating supplier audits and maintaining supplier approval programme
• Managing documentation for clients, including SQAs and certification applications)
• Performing traceability exercises and mock recalls
• Preparing quality and food safety incident reports (weekly and monthly)
• Ordering laboratory consumables and managing costing
• Supporting trend analysis, root cause investigations, and continual system improvements

Minimum Criteria:

Education & Experience

• Tertiary qualification (Degree/Diploma) in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline
• Additional certification in Food Safety Management Systems (e.g., FSSC 22000, ISO 22000)
• 5+ years of experience in Quality Assurance within a food manufacturing environment
• At least 2 years in a Management or Supervisory position
• Proven experience in implementing, managing, and auditing food safety and quality systems
• In-depth knowledge of local and international food safety legislation and regulatory requirements
• Proficiency in quality management systems and tools
• Strong understanding of GMP, HACCP principles, and risk management

Key Competencies & Attributes

• Strong leadership and team management abilities
• A detail-oriented, driven individual with a high emotional intelligence (EQ)
• Calm under pressure, assertive in decision-making, and a collaborative team motivator
• Collaborative, adaptive, and strategic approaches
• Ownership-driven, action-oriented, and focused on continuous improvement
• Efficient and practical with high standards and a results-driven mindset
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality standards
• Familiarity with compliance and regulatory standards
• Skills in auditing, troubleshooting, trend analysis, and report writing
• Must have own transport and flexibility to work extended hours as needed (on-site role with occasional travel)
• Fluency in English and Afrikaans, both spoken and written
• Alignment with company values and team culture

Requirements:

• Development, implementation, maintenance, and continual improvement of the Food Safety System
• Ensuring compliance with all legislative, regulatory, and customer-specific food safety requirements
• Leading, developing, and managing the Quality Team
• Investigating and recording non-conformances and customer complaints
• Approving and verifying corrective actions, change controls, and concession requests
• Managing communication of food safety updates internally and externally
• Liaising with and managing service providers (e.g., pest control, hygiene services)
• Managing microbiological, chemical, and physical testing and reporting processes
• Verifying and issuing COAs/COCs and ensuring accurate client submissions
• Conducting GMP audits, internal audits, and facilitating certification or customer audits
• Compiling and presenting management reviews and food safety performance reports
• Authorising the release or hold of final products and managing recalls if required
• Ensuring equipment calibration and maintenance schedules are upheld
• Coordinating supplier audits and maintaining supplier approval programme
• Managing documentation for clients, including SQAs and certification applications)
• Performing traceability exercises and mock recalls
• Preparing quality and food safety incident reports (weekly and monthly)
• Ordering laboratory consumables and managing costing
• Supporting trend analysis, root cause investigations, and continual system improvements

• Tertiary qualification (Degree/Diploma) in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline
• Additional certification in Food Safety Management Systems (e.g., FSSC 22000, ISO 22000)
• 5+ years of experience in Quality Assurance within a food manufacturing environment
• At least 2 years in a Management or Supervisory position
• Proven experience in implementing, managing, and auditing food safety and quality systems
• In-depth knowledge of local and international food safety legislation and regulatory requirements
• Proficiency in quality management systems and tools
• Strong understanding of GMP, HACCP principles, and risk management

• Strong leadership and team management abilities
• A detail-oriented, driven individual with a high emotional intelligence (EQ)
• Calm under pressure, assertive in decision-making, and a collaborative team motivator
• Collaborative, adaptive, and strategic approaches
• Ownership-driven, action-oriented, and focused on continuous improvement
• Efficient and practical with high standards and a results-driven mindset
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality standards
• Familiarity with compliance and regulatory standards
• Skills in auditing, troubleshooting, trend analysis, and report writing
• Must have own transport and flexibility to work extended hours as needed (on-site role with occasional travel)
• Fluency in English and Afrikaans, both spoken and written
• Alignment with company values and team culture