About the position
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
Desired Skills:
- Quality
- Assurance
- Manager
