Introduction

To ensure safety of food products manufactured by the company through establishment, implementation, maintenance, review of a food safety management system and coordination of food safety certification, including reporting on the effectiveness and suitability of the food safety management system.

Duties & Responsibilities

Compliance and governance management:

Stay abreast with legislation and standards.
Review changes in legislation and standards, and align food safety processes and systems to ensure all legal, statutory, internal requirements, standards and validation are met.
Implement and maintain the Food Safety System Certification 22000 and the AIB Good Manufacturing Practice audit system.
Facilitate and lead Halaal and Kosher audits and inspections.
Coordinate Animal Feed Manufacturers Association audits and inspections.
Conduct monthly internal food safety audits at the processing and packing plants.
Assist the New Product Development function with ensuring that all new products are compliant with Kosher, Halaal and R146 requirements.
Inspect products and workers progress throughout production to ensure that compliance with internal standards are met.
Ensure that all paper work pertaining to food safety is kept, controlled and accessible when required.

Supplier Quality Assurance:

Manage the Supplier Quality Assurance Program by conducting food fraud and food defense risk assessments.
Work in collaboration with purchasing staff and quality assurance stakeholders to establish quality and food safety requirements for external suppliers.
Conduct supplier audits on high-risk suppliers.
Liaise with suppliers and service providers on all quality and food safety related aspects of the product and/or service to ensure conformity is maintained.

Training and coaching:

Formulate internal food safety training programmes for various stakeholders.
Coordinate annual internal food safety training programs in food safety, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)’s and quality related matters for all operational staff.
Train all new employees on food safety.
Collaborate with Learning and Development in procurement with relevant external food safety training.
Guide, coach, support and mentor food safety graduate and QA/QC interns to effectively oversee quality assurance and food safety activities.
Implement activities to promote a food safety culture within the workplace.

Process control and monitoring:

Coordinate Management of Change (MoC) procedures and processes on site
Manage allergen control programs on site
Communicate required micro specifications and parameters to production teams
Conduct plant walk-abouts and inspect the manufacturing processes to check compliance with procedures
Assess environments where food is cooked and/or stored i.e. canteen
Ensure that established process control procedures are followed throughout the plant
Generate non-conformances and corrective action requests.
Report all malfunctions and non-conformances to 1st line managers and HODs to ensure immediate action.
Actively assist in development of rules and plant specific procedure towards prevention and elimination of food safety hazards.
Investigate food safety incidents, ensure traceability and formulate and/or recommend action plans.
Ensure SOP’s reflect current business dynamics.
Identify areas for continuous improvement and efficiency improvements.
Implement, monitor and review Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) studies.
Monitor, record, analyze and report on quality activities, trends, results and make recommendations relating to product performance.
Participate, coordinate and compile food safety related management review meeting discussion topics.
Generate non-conformances and corrective action requests.
Initiate, execute and control recall processes in the case of product and packaging defects
Manage the Integrated Pest Management program on site.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Qualifications

B-Tech Degree in Food Technology/Biotechnology.

Experience

3 years’ experience in establishing and implementing food safety management systems

Knowledge

Applicable legislation e.g. R638, R146, SANS 241
Food safety management systems e.g. FSSC 22000, AIB and GMP’s
Hazard analysis risk assessments

Skills

Root cause analysis investigations
Internal audit
Process and procedure formulation
Analysis and integration
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Excel and Microsoft Word.
Change management
Training and coaching
Verbal and written communication skills
Problem solving
Stakeholder engagement and collaboration
Conflict handling
Supervisory and leadership
Planning and organising
Ability to cope with pressure and setbacks

Personality & Behavioural Attributes

Genuine interest in food safety across the entire value chain
Attentive to detail
Results orientated
Assertive
Resilient
Strong moral principles

Package & Remuneration

R22 000 - R26 000

GP Consult

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FOOD SAFETY OFFICER