Junior Quality Assurance Officer - Midrand at Nando's

Job Description    

• To ensure that products meet required quality standards and regulations. This role includes overseeing testing and inspecting products by leading the QA technicians in conducting visual inspections, performing laboratory tests, and analysing data. This role also includes the management of QA lab, ensuring timeous testing and release of both raw materials and finished goods. Responsible for ensuring that the company’s products meet quality standards and regulations. Including responsibility for creating and enforcing quality standards, procedures, and policies for the company. To ensure that the factory is aligned to World Class Quality practices in support of customer driven results and expectations. Management of QA Lab team ensuring all products produced at the plant are meeting EMEA and Corporate standards as well as legal and customer requirements.

Minimum Requirements    

• B-Tech/ Diploma in Food Technology, Biotechnology, Food Science, Quality Management.
• BRCGS
• HACCP
• FSSC 22000
• Lead Auditor Certification
• Total Quality Management Certification 
• Five years’ experience in a similar role in a manufacturing industry with high quality standards. 
• Operating with documented Quality Systems
• Proven knowledge and experience of scientific testing techniques.
• Ability to interpret results of analytical and microbiological testing. 
• Experience with writing and enforcing standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Four years' exoerience in FMCG/Manufacturing

Duties and Responsibilities    

Quality Assurance:

• Ensure the implementation and application of the appropriate policies, procedures, test methods (including GLP, GMP and H&S) to achieve and maintain third party and customer standards.
• To support the manufacturing, Supply Chain and QA Teams by providing feedback on factors adversely affecting product quality and investigating the root cause of these issues.
• Decision making involved in pass, fail and concession of materials as dictated by the business needs, whilst applying the appropriate standards of integrity. 
• Manage the internal/external sampling and testing of materials in accordance with test plans. 
• Co-ordinate lab proficiency testing programs to ensure efficiency of methods and competency of Technologists to conduct routine testing. 
• Reviewing and revising testing procedures.
• Conducting inspection checks on goods and production processes.
• Ensuring employees adhere to safety and quality regulations.
• Advising on procedures to improve production efficiency.
• Managing product QA & QC (Via a life system of shopware and SAP Releases).
• Monitoring and troubleshooting of CCP and ORPS (Magnets, strainers, metal detectors units), which entails auditing of then and verification thereof.
• Part of the food safety committee (responsible for HACCP studies development, review and final authorization of any change management implemented. 
• Part of the Quality Assurance Task Team Committee, lead and manage Consumer complaints (the trend and monitoring of quality and food safety related compliance), lead RCA initiated under quality and food safety department.
• Management of Purchasing of laboratory consumables & laboratory equipment use.
• Conduct monthly GMP and food Safety audits based on BRC standard. 
• Lead Quality based trial and implementation of results for product improvement.

QA Management:

• To drive activities related to resolving the Non-conformances to support the reduction of Inventory costs.
• Reporting to the quality assurance manager.
• Reporting safety and quality infringements to the QA manager
• Standing in for Site Quality Manager when needed. 
• Ensure Non-Conformances, Corrective actions and Customer Complaints are managed appropriately.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant Regulatory requirements.
• Provides site technical support to R&D, vendor quality management and procurement for new products and / or new material development and launches.

Internal Controls and Audits:

• Participation as an Internal Auditor, conducting, reporting and closing out internal FSQ audits to ensure compliance to the Food Safety and Quality programs. Participation in external audits 
• To actively participate and support the Continuous Improvement Team in achieving the business goals and objectives. 
• Participation in the External Audits and assist with delivery of the set results and with set KPI’s.