Job Description

Quality Assurance Manager
Position Reports to: Sales & Procurement Director
Location:: Paarden Eiland
Contract Type: Permanent (with a 6-month probation period)
Working Hours: 08:00 - 17:00 (hours may fluctuate; weekends and overtime as per operational requirements)
About the Company: Seafood distribution
Job Purpose:

• Develop, update, improve, implement, and maintain Food Safety and Development systems.
• Oversee the development of new products from concept to launch.

Qualifications Needed:

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a similar field.
• Computer and computerized Food Safety program literate.

Experience/Skills Required:

• 5-10 years of progressively responsible experience in quality assurance or a related field.
• 5-7 years of experience in a leadership role, managing teams and overseeing quality assurance processes.
• Strong knowledge of risk management, risk identification, and risk-based testing.
• Experience with regulatory compliance issues and working with NCRS.
• In-depth knowledge of food safety programs (e.g., FSSC22000, ISO22000, BRCS, IFS, SANHA).
• Familiarity with industry standards and regulations.
• Experience in the seafood industry is advantageous.
• Experience with continuous improvement practices and industry-recognized best practices is advantageous.
• Minimum intermediate MS Office skills are required.

Key Personal Attributes & Competencies:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to effectively communicate with staff at all levels.
• Team player.
• Ability to conduct research and analyze data.
• Honesty, Integrity & Reliability.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Critical thinking capabilities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in decision making.
• Apply urgency to all tasks, ensuring prompt fault reporting and problem resolution.
• Self-motivated and confident; capable of working with little supervision.
• Strong multitasking abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Good time management skills.
• Must have own transport.

Key Responsibilities:
Day-to-Day Requirements:

• Ensure product quality aligns with customer expectations.
• Maintain adherence to national and international standards.
• Conduct GMP checks and address findings promptly.
• Provide technical expertise for defect identification.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Staff Management:

• Oversee Quality staff across all cold stores and shifts.
• Ensure proper performance and documentation by Quality Controllers, identifying training needs as required.
• Monitor staff performance and generate statistical reports.

New Product Development & Artwork Approvals:

• Lead product development from concept to launch.
• Source ingredients for new products.
• Coordinate the development and approval of artwork and labels.
• Manage retail and food service artwork and label approvals.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with marketing and design teams to ensure compliance.
• Review existing artwork for compliance.

Specifications:

• Draft and maintain specification reports.
• Review and amend specifications annually or as needed.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Interpret and apply all industry-related standards, regulations, and Codex Alimentarius.

Food Safety Review Requirements & Audits:

• Develop, implement, and maintain a robust Food Safety Management System (HACCP, GMP, Operational PRPs, TACCP, VACCP, MSC, etc.).
• Ensure readiness for third-party audits and address non-conformances raised during audits for all cold stores.
• Lead food safety meetings and audits, ensuring third-party audit readiness.

Quality & Product Compliance:

• Liaise with retail, wholesale, key accounts, and food service regarding quality standards and assist with evaluations as required.
• Ensure all quality-related reports (inbound and outbound) are completed promptly.
• Analyze and review trend analysis, providing feedback on client, customer, and consumer complaints and non-conformances.
• Implement corrective and preventative measures where required.
• Conduct benchmarking exercises and manage product recalls if necessary.
• Serve as a technical liaison between various stakeholders (e.g., regulatory bodies and the company).
• Conduct risk assessment audits and inspect consignments.
• Conduct supplier visits and audits for compliance.
• Review and address complaints and non-conformances.
• Provide feedback on trends and corrective measures.

Implementation and Management of Computerized Quality Control and Food Safety Program:

• Lead the implementation, structuring, and maintenance of a computerized safety program, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Possess a basic finance background to manage departmental budgets.